Peres to Pope Francis: ‘Our Operation is Aimed at Stopping Two Killing Methods’ [Israel and Hamas]

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Friday told Pope Francis that Israel’s Operation Protective Edge “aimed to bring an end to two killing methods – the rockets from the sky and the tunnels from under the earth.”

Peres told the Pope: “We have discovered two tunnels which were supposed to enable them enter into the heart of civilian life and kill indiscriminately.”

“Fortunately we discovered it on time and prevented the murder,” he said. “Right now the main thing we are doing is to put an end to these tunnels and we are trying to see how to limit the confrontation, particularly with regard to the rockets which they fire at our civilians.”

“Right now there is fire, we are trying to do as much as we can to lower the flames because we do not consider the people of Gaza as enemies,” Peres said. “I know that the people of Gaza themselves didn’t decide on this situation that they find themselves in. There is a small group of fanatics who are the cause of suffering in Gaza.”

Peres said, “I hope it will not be a long lasting operation and I can assure you that our people are careful and will continue to be very careful not to cause damage and death to innocent peoples. We shall continue to search for a road to peace in spite of the fire and in spite of the failure to have a ceasefire because finally the solution must be political and not just military.”

Netanyahu Says International Coalition Supporting Israel ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3182080/posts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said a broad international coalition is supporting Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, in its tenth day, as the Israel Defense Forces began a ground operation overnight to destroy Hamas tunnels in Gaza.

Speaking at the start of a special cabinet meeting, in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said he “spoke with major world leaders” and “explained to them the impossible situation the State of Israel was facing and our need to defend our people. Since then, through constant, methodical diplomatic and media activity, we have been creating the international space – which is not self-evident – so that we can take systematic and strong action against this murderous terrorist organization and its terrorist partners.”

“Naturally, there are considerations and facts that I cannot reveal to the public; these are complicated considerations that include, at the same time, many fronts and arenas in Israel and around the world,” he said. “However, the supreme consideration that guides us is to restore the security to Israel’s citizens and to restore quiet to the country.”

“Now I know that in such campaigns, global public opinion always receives a distorted picture of the campaign. This is unavoidable,” he said. “But, unlike in the past, this time there are many in the international community who understand that it is Hamas – and Hamas alone – that is responsible for the victims. This is important for the State of Israel.”

Here’s a running account of news reports related to these recent events with Israel and Hamas. If you want to catch up on the news accounts ... they are here ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/stisraelhamas/index

It’s listed from newest to oldest, so go to the bottom to start.

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