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Former Netanyahu chief of staff on Israel, Hamas conflict

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    Naftali Bennett speaks out

  • Duration 5:41
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But we're watching closely what's developing in Israel right now Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets from Gaza onto the citizens of Israel.

This after an Israeli air strike on Thursday took out a top Hamas military commander.

Hamas warned that Israel's air strikes had quote open the gates of hell.

Well joining me now from Israelis border with Gaza former chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu.

And a major in the Israeli special forces reserves not -- -- Knocked -- thank you for joining us today.

We could be on the -- over the.

Let's talk about how this all started because.

I'm afraid the international media may tried to describe this as Israeli aggression but this is a response to what has been a relentless assault.

By the Hamas.

Toward his -- I think your typical American doesn't know what's happening on ground.

Seven years ago Israel vacated the Gaza Strip.

And handed -- entire land over to the Palestinians.

The Palestinians formed an independent government -- have a state a Palestinian state in Gaza a free state they run it.

But days after we vacated it in 2005.

They begin shooting missiles on civilians and Israel.

And ever since they just went on in on shooting missiles.

Were right now I'm standing in this southern part of Israel one million civilians in this area are right now in shelters.

Enduring the hundreds.

Of missiles being shot at us without provocation.

A few days ago enough was enough and prime minister Netanyahu authorized.

On the killing of the commander of the Hamas forces Hamas is this terrorist arm of Iran here in the region and we took it out.

And since then we've been an in this conflict where they shoot missiles on our civilians and we retaliate against their military.

I just want to be clear we do not shoot on civilians that they're the ones shooting and our civilians and we.

Only hunt down the terrorists themselves.

-- -- there -- been wide scale reports that in Gaza.

Sometimes the munitions and even the rocket launchers are placed in schools.

Are in mosque in order.

Two to essentially make -- very difficult for Israel to hit.

Can you confirm that that is one of this strategies that Hamas has employed.

So that they they essentially are using children as human shields.

That's corrected by the way this is the Islamic tactic I've seated with my own eyes and a major or not commando unit.

In many houses in the -- the Hamas areas you have a living room a kitchen.

And the missile room with removable ceiling -- a missile launchers standing.

Move the ceiling -- the missile -- -- Israelis and then cover up.

In essence they're using children and kindergartens and hospitals as human shields we are -- -- cautious as we can but you know governor.

When they shoot at us of my own children we will retaliate we will persevere.

Even if they use human shields.

-- tolley.

It it sounds like the only way to effectively.

Cleaner Gaza out from the terrorism.

Is that your gonna have to physically go in there in a land action because you can't do that all from the air.

How close do you think we are two -- ground invasion into Gaza by the Israeli defense forces.

Governor I think you're right there's no choice but to enter and clean it up.

I don't know what the chances are over the next -- 2448 hours.

But I I think that at some point we will need to go in.

I just -- played -- it's not only a battle between an army and terrorists this is a battle of spirit where we stand right now we're at the forefront.

Of the a big wave of radical Islam that out to eliminate the whole free world it just happens to be that this is live at the front line.

It's a battle of spirits that they think that if they should another missile and another one -- where a salad.

I'm here to -- Prime minister Haniyeh and the Hamas.

We've been in this land for over 3800.

Years.

We're not going anywhere we're ready here to stay -- like coming goal but were gonna fight as much as we need I've got four kids but I'm willing to it.

I'll put on they -- -- by fatigue and go and fight just as every Israeli the one million Israelis right now in the shelter as.

Are very strong and are willing to endured as long as necessary.

Because -- this is our land and we're not going anywhere.

It sounds like -- college that there is an extraordinary resolve on the part of the Israeli people and I sense that from Tel Aviv all the way down to to Beersheba.

In the in in just a final word.

Did does this look like it could be resolved by diplomacy is that still possible.

You know.

With terrorists you don't talk.

Terrorists you killed.

I don't were called -- on September 12 anyone in the the United States intended.

To engage in diplomacy with Phil Qaeda and bin Laden this is precisely the situation.

There's a terrorist group not far from here that's out to kill my own children we're not gonna talk to you -- a fight as much as necessary and we're gonna win.

A -- it's a pleasure to talk to you be safe my friend take care and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

-- -- -- -- We'll tell you about it.

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