Netanyahu: IDF delivered a ‘powerful blow’ against Hamas

The IDF delivered a “very, very powerful” blow against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

By World Israel News Staff

The IDF delivered a “very, very powerful” blow against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. before flying back to Israel.

Israel struck numerous terrorist targets across the Gaza Strip, including the offices of Hamas’ leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Israel stopped its attacks around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, according to reports.

“Hamas should know that we will not hesitate to enter and take the necessary steps,” Netanyahu said. The prime minister would not answer reporters questions about the possibility of a full-scale ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, Ynet reports.

Upon landing, Netanyahu said he would head directly to the IDF’s headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu cut his U.S. trip short in order to deal with the escalation brought on by Hamas’s rocket attack, which uncharacteristically struck deep into Israel, hitting an area north of Tel Aviv where it made a direct hit on a house, injuring seven people, including two children and an infant.

The nature of the attack, hitting the center of the country and nearly killing a family, demanded a stronger response from Israel. Reports say the operation may continue for several days.

Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Netanyahu, said a mild response was not an option. “It will be something on a bigger scale,” he said.

Residents of Israel’s south woke to a tense morning after Hamas launched 30 rockets at Israel on Monday night, one directly hitting a house in Sderot, a town near the Gaza Strip that has borne the brunt of rocket attacks over the years. Fortunately, the rocket failed to explode.

Israel’s Home Front Command ordered schools cancelled in numerous town and cities near the Strip.