Since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, the Hamas militia has grown from 3,000 to 65,000 armed men, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said.
He termed the Palestinian terrorist group a “theological junta” which, he said, is dedicated to destroying Israel.
He denied negotiations were taking place with Hamas, admitting only to “contacts” through a third party.
Fuel deliveries to Gaza were again approved for Wednesday, despite Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s pledge not to let them through until the incendiary balloons and border riots were stopped.
On Tuesday, half a dozen balloons started fires in Israel and Palestinian rioters clashed with Israeli troops.
