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18:12 GMT
GAZA, Sept 21 (KUNA) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Tel Aviv will trespond with an "iron fist" to any Palestinian missile attack which targets civilian complexes near Gaza Strip and Israeli settlement Ashkolon.
Netanyahu was quoted by Israeli radio as he was touring Ashkolon and Sderot settlements, which were earlier targeted by Palestinian missiles from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian resistance groups.
"It's better for Hamas and Islamic Jihad not to test Israeli's willpower to respond to such attacks," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli premier noted that since last Israeli military campaign they have witnessed a drop in the amount of missiles launched from Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army confirmed that the number of Palestinian missiles and mortar rounds have been progressively increasing against Israeli settlements near Gaza.
Last week, an Israeli cabinet minister made a similar warning to Palestinians noting that such operation would be similar to military offensive against Gaza in December of 2008.
On a different note, Netanyahu said that "any agreement concerning the future security of Israel will be conducted through a referendum." Israeli opposition has questioned Netanyahu's motivation, dismissing the move as a ruse meant to place a further obstacle in front of the peace talks.
The Issue comes amid growing international pressure on Netanyahu to extend a 10-month Israeli Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank which expires at the end of the week.
The Quartet on the Middle East, which comprises the United States, the EU, the UN and Russia, yesterday urged Netanyahu to overcome opposition from inside Israeli parties by continuing the freeze. (end) mzt.mb KUNA 212112 Sep 10NNNN