Gaza’s Hamas rulers have obtained anti-aircraft missiles, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, in a potentially game-changing development that could threaten the Israeli air force’s ability to strike at the Islamic militant group.
Israeli aircraft have long dominated the skies over Gaza, striking suspected Hamas military installations and assassinating dozens of wanted militants. The Israeli air force played a key role in a fierce three-week offensive in Gaza early last year, which began with airstrikes that killed hundreds of Hamas fighters.
Speaking to his Likud Party, Netanyahu disclosed that Israel’s aerial freedom has been compromised by the new weaponry in Gaza, presumably smuggled into the area through tunnels connected to neighboring Egypt. He said any future peace agreement would have to include security arrangements to deal with the threat.
Israel believes that despite its military offensive and Egypt’s stated goal of halting arms smuggling, Hamas has managed to restock its arsenal with longer-range missiles that can strike the heart of Israel.
Read more at HAARETZ.com.
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