"The next round of fighting with Hamas is just a matter of time," Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Monday, during a tour of the IDF's Gaza Division base near the Gaza Strip-Israel border.
Less than a week after the latest spike in cross-border violence, Lieberman was joined by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot in voicing his gratitude and respect for the IDF soldiers on the front lines.
"I want to express my appreciation to the determined and motivated commanders and soldiers who are doing sacred work to ensure the safety of the citizens of Israel," he said.
Referring to the violent weekly Gaza border demonstrations that began in late March, Lieberman said that "since the start of the 'March of Return' events, Hamas' death toll has reached 168, with 4,348 wounded. Dozens of terrorist infrastructure targets have been destroyed. The question of the next round of fighting is not 'if' but 'when.' I am convinced that we will do whatever needs to be done, the way it needs to be done."
Responding to critics who claim that Israel's policy of restraint is too lenient with Hamas and other Gaza terrorist groups, Lieberman said, "Our policy is a powerful, responsible security policy. Responsible defense tactics are not shaped by internet commenters, newspaper headlines or public opinion. We are prepared and we know what to do and how to do it."
Meanwhile, amid relative calm over the last 24 hours in the border area, the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet convened on Sunday to discuss the recent tensions.
Earlier Sunday, speaking ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the current round of hostilities has not ended.
"We are in the midst of a campaign against Gaza terrorists. Blows are being exchanged; it won't stop with one punch," Netanyahu said.
"Our demand is clear: We want a full cease-fire. We will not accept anything less. To this point, we have destroyed hundreds of Hamas military targets, and in every round of attacks the IDF exacts another heavy price from Hamas.
"I won't reveal our operational plans here, but they are ready. Our objective is to restore tranquility to the residents of the south and the Gaza border – which will be fully achieved."
Meanwhile, after four months of fires being caused daily in Israeli forests, fields, groves and orchards by incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gaza, Sunday marked the first day in which the Israel Fire and Rescue Services said no blazes had been caused by Palestinian arson.
Also on Sunday, the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba issued a statement indicating that the condition of a Thai farm worker severely wounded in a mortar shell attack last week was improving.
Meanwhile, Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri visited Cairo on Saturday night to continue talks on an emerging agreement with Israel that is being mediated by the Egyptian government. They also discussed inter-Palestinian reconciliation.
Arouri was joined by other senior Hamas officials after it was reported on Friday that U.N. special Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov had visited the Gaza Strip.
The Health Ministry in Gaza said Sunday it had been forced to stop providing chemotherapy treatment to children with cancer because of a lack of medicine.
A ministry spokesman said, "80% of cancer medication has run out in Gaza, and therefore it's not practically possible to implement the relevant procedures for chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy treatments will cease early this week, and the situation endangers the lives of hundreds of sick people."
