By Ryan Jones
Jun 13, 2006
After "Palestinian" terrorists launched more than 100 rockets and mortars at Gaza-area Jewish communities in just over 72 hours, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Tuesday that his nation's momentary restraint had come to an end in light of the critical need to defend its people.
Said the Labor Party leader during a tour of northern Israel:
"We have been showing restraint due to the international outcry over the incident on the Gaza beach -- but no longer."
Shortly after Peretz made that statement, at least eight "Palestinian" civilians were killed in Gaza while rushing towards a terrorist vehicle in the process of being targeted by Israeli aircraft. The three Islamic Jihad terrorists in the vehicle, in which they were transporting Katyusha rockets, were also killed.
Peretz told Ynet that while Israel would do everything possible to avoid harming "Palestinian" civilians, such considerations could not be allowed to supersede the need to protect Israelis against the aggression of their Arab "peace partners."
"No evaluation will alter our commitment to defend the citizens of Israel."
IAF Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedy added that Israel would not be held accountable for Tuesday's deaths after the terrorists had in such a cynical and illegal manner used a civilian population center as cover for their murderous operation.