Ashkenazi: Current reality unacceptable JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST Dec. 22, 2008 www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1229868808386&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Gaza Strip some four days
after the expiration of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and
Palestinian factions, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen Gabi Ashkenazi said
that the current reality is unacceptable.

Speaking to Army Radio on Monday morning, he said, "It's impossible to
accept a reality where Gaza-belt residents are getting wounded. Hamas is
responsible for this, and we will deal with them."

"The IDF is prepared for every possible operation that could be required in
the Gaza Strip. I present the different options to the political echelons,
and we'll do what we're ordered to do," he went on.

Ashkenazi also commented on Hamas's weaponry, saying, "Hamas is always
trying to improve the range and quality of its missiles. [Shin Bet (Israel
Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin's comments on Sunday] didn't tell us
anything we didn't already know. We're regularly keeping track of the type
and quality of Hamas's weapons."

Diskin had told the cabinet Sunday that the terror group now has weapons
with the ability to reach "Kiryat Gat, Ashdod and the outskirts of
Beersheba."

Throughout Sunday, 19 rockets fired from the Strip hit the western Negev, as
well as at least three mortar shells. One person was lightly wounded in the
barrage, and a rocket scored a direct hit on a Sderot house, causing
extensive damage. Another rocket struck near Ashkelon.

The Israel Air Force continued targeting Kassam rocket launchers in Gaza in
response to the attacks. Palestinian sources reported late Sunday night that
four Palestinians, including a child, were lightly-to-moderately injured in
an IAF strike west of Gaza City.

The IDF confirmed that IAF helicopters had targeted at a rocket launch
squad.

Earlier Sunday, IAF aircraft scored direct hits on two Kassam launchers that
had been prepped to fire.

According to Palestinians, another IAF another strike on Sunday afternoon
injured a woman near Gaza City, but the IDF denied this attack.

You get the government you deserve.