'Our patience will eventually run out'
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz visits Sderot following barrage of Qassam rockets fired at the southern town, says, 'As a state, we will not act like terrorists'
SDEROT- At some point Israel's patience will run out, IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said Tuesday during a visit to Sderot after a barrage of Qassam rockets struck the Negev town.
"Today's events are another expression of the Palestinian Authority's weakness. The fact that they (PA) think the right things and say the right things but do not do the right things is the embodiment of everything," he said during his first appearance before reporters as chief of staff.
"Eventually, the out-of-control organizations take upon themselves the authority to determine how they conduct themselves vis-a-vis the PA – by launching of rockets and mortar shells at Gush Katif and Sderot."
A day of escalation:
Despite the harsh messages, Halutz said Israel should respond with restraint.
"I suggest that, as a country, we should not act as terrorists," he said. "Our first task is to guarantee security for the citizens, and we will carry out this task. However, we must consider all the implications of an extensive military operation at this juncture. Today, the Palestinians hurt themselves – they hurt their people and a Thai worker who was killed during the terror attack (on Gush Katif)."
He added that the disengagement would not be carried out under fire.
