Israel will not hesitate to launch another campaign in Gaza if tensions on the border continue to escalate, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said Monday.
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"As soon as Operation Guardian of the Walls ended, the IDF began to prepare for another campaign," he said. "We have improved and continue to improve our warfare capabilities as well as operational plans in the Strip. Unless calm is maintained in the south – we will not hesitate to launch another campaign."
The Israel-Gaza border has seen weeks of unrest, with Palestinian protesters burning tires and throwing explosives at IDF troops. On Aug. 21, one Palestinian terrorist fatally shot Israeli Border Police officer Barel Hadaria Shmueli. After fighting for his life at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba for several days, Shmueli succumbed to his wounds on Monday afternoon.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also said the possibility of another war with Hamas was on the table.
"Our attacks in Gaza are focused in a way that they target Hamas, depriving it of its capabilities. I cannot guarantee that Operation Guardian of the Walls will not resume," he told reporters.
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