Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that Israel would not shy away from using force when it comes to protecting its citizens, as Operation Shield and Arrow continued into its second day.
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Netanyahu wrote those comments on Twitter shortly after a barrage of more than 100 rockets was fired on Israel. "Is spoke this afternoon with southern local and regional council heads and told them: 'We are ready for the possibility of an expanded campaign and harsh strikes against Gaza.'" According to a statement issued by his office, the prime minister told them that "Israel has the upper hand and we are ready to deal heavy blows now and in the future."
He further retweeted a statement published by the official account for the government, which read, "More than 170 rockets have been fired at Israel, confining millions of Israeli civilians to bomb shelters. We will protect our citizens from all who attempt to harm them."
Video: Tel Aviv beach goers run for shelter as Gaza militants fire rockets into Israel / Reuters
A day earlier, just hours after Israel launched the operation, he spoke to the public and noted that this was an act of self-defense aimed at holding the perpetrators of a recent salvo on Israel accountable. He was referring to the massive rocket fire launched against Israel in early May by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group in Gaza to protest the death of a hunger-striking Palestinian. He said the operation settled the score with the leaders who led that onslaught.
"Early this morning, the IDF targeted 3 commanders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist organization based in Gaza. These terrorists were responsible for firing over 100 rockets at Israeli cities last week and many terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians," Netanyahu said on Tuesday. "It may take time, but Israel will ultimately reach these terrorists. No one should doubt Israel's resolve to defend its citizens. If that is not clear today, it will become even clearer in the future. Israel will do whatever it has to do to protect our state and to protect our people. Israel's policy is clear and our message to the terrorists is also clear: You can run. You can hide. But in the end, Israel will get you."
Video: Israel 'has the upper hand', Netanyahu says as Gaza fire continues / Reuters
Netanyahu met with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid to brief him on the situation, and his office published a joint photo from the meeting.
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