LOC01:21
22:21 GMT
GAZA, Dec 27 (KUNA) -- Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army Lt.-Gen. Benny
Gantz claimed that the escalated violence in the south would eventually
require Israel to carry out another large-scale military operation in
Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, reports reaching here said Tuesday.
"We cannot continue with one round of violence after another," Israeli
daily Haaretz quoted Gantz, as saying in a closed-door meeting of the Knesset
's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
He warned that the point at which a military operation would become
necessary was "drawing closer."
General Gantz's assessment came during a routine security briefing to the
parliamentary committee. The military later released a summary of his remarks.
Israel will not be "dragged into" an operation there, but will rather
initiate an orderly one, he went on.
His remarks came against the background of a brewing argument between the
country's defense minister and finance minister over proposed cuts to the
defense budget.
The defense minister, Ehud Barak, strongly opposes any cut, as does the
military, Haaretz added.
Gantz told the parliamentary committee that Israel is facing a "more
complex strategic reality" than before, and uncertainty on many fronts.
That, he said, does not allow Israel "to take risks" through budget cuts,
according to the report. (end)
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