Israel’s defense minister will allow the army to renew pinpoint operations against terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The decision by Amir Peretz effectively ends a months-old cease-fire, Army Radio reported.Peretz said Sunday evening that Hamas is exploiting the period of relative calm in the coastal strip to improve its military capabilities. He added that Hamas has intensified efforts to strike with roadside bombs at Israeli security forces patrolling the fence that encircles Gaza.The defense minister’s comments echoed recent statements made by the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, who said the army must take action to stop Hamas from strengthening its forces. Last week, for the first time since the cease-fire went into effect, the IDF intercepted an Islamic Jihad rocket squad moments before it attempted to launch Kassam rockets from the northern Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.
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