Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a pre-recorded televised speech in which he warns the fight against Hamas militants could be a long operation and stresses the need to stick together.
"From the perspective of the terrorist organizations, all of Israel is part of one front, and all Israeli citizens are targets,” Netanyahu said in the video, speaking in Hebrew. “Therefore we must stand together as one -- united and sure of the justice of our cause. We are acting with determination and assertively to return the quiet, and we will continue to do so until the quiet is restored, so that our citizens and children can live in security.”
He added, "We will do what it takes to bring quiet, Hamas is hiding behind civilians, I'm calling on all Israelis to be strong and united since it might take time."
At least 16 people were killed in strikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said, as Israel militants whose rocket fire reached as far as Tel Aviv.
