Netanyahu: Israel rejected Hamas ceasefire offer
Israel's top military brass estimate that the operation against Gaza terrorists could go on for another week
Israel rejected offers of a truce on behalf of the Hamas terrorist group, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, at a meeting of the top military brass and security officials occasioned by the sharp escalation between the Jewish state and Gaza-based Islamists.
Israeli media reported that the security cabinet - comprising Netanyahu, Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and several others - agreed to elevate the offensive against Gazan terrorists, amid an understanding that the military operation could go on for another week.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in the Gaza Strip fired more than 1,200 rockets at Israel, killing several civilians and leaving dozens injured.
The escalation is the heaviest between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in the Hamas-ruled enclave, and concern has been growing that the situation could spiral out of control.