IDF training dril. Photo: 
www.israelnationalnews.com

(VOVworld) - Israel on Thursday presented an ultimatum to Hamas giving the organization 48 hours to cease rocket attacks from Gaza. Otherwise, Tel Aviv warned, it intends to launch an attack on Gaza. According to Palestinian sources, the threat was delivered by the Egyptian Intelligence to Hamas’ political leader, Musa Abu Marzuk. The same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is preparing for two possibilities. One is the rocket attacks stop and Israel’s operations will also stop. Second, if the attacks continue, Israel’s forces will act forcefully. Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, stressed that Israel looks for calm, not escalation, but if Hamas chooses to act against Israel, it will be ready to retaliate.