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Israel seeks to destroy Hamas terrorism infrastructure in Gaza — deputy ambassador

Israeli deputy ambassador to Russia Olga Slov says Gaza’s demilitarization will help resume talks on the settlement based on the principles of the two states

MOSCOW, July 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Israel does not intend to take over Gaza upon completion of Operation Protective Edge, Israeli deputy ambassador to Russia Olga Slov said on Friday. “Israel left Gaza not to return there,” she said.

The purpose of Operation Protective Edge “is to take measures for destroying the Hamas terrorism infrastructure in Gaza”, Slov said. In addition, she said, “Gaza’s demilitarization will help resume talks on the settlement based on the principles of the two states.” “It is difficult to say how it can be achieved. I believe that the global community will be able to put forth proposals for solving this problem,” Slov said.

On July 8, 2014, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the start of Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip against Hamas militants. The IDF made strikes on 50 targets in the Gaza Strip, mostly at platforms for launching rockets.

The immediate reason for the operation was that cities in southern Israel were massively shelled by Hamas military wing Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. According to the Israeli army’s press service, on July 7, some 90 missiles were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip. As of early July, 450 missiles had been fired since the start of 2014.