Egypt warned the Palestinian factions from escalating their missile attacks against Israel to avoid any Israeli military operation against the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian officials warned that Israel could re-occupy the strip, according to Israeli media. Israel withdrew from the territory in 2005. Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot said the Egyptian government resumed its efforts to achieve a truce between the Palestinians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip. It added that Egypt demanded the Palestinian factions not violate the truce brokered by Egypt so as to not provide Israel with an opportunity to execute a military operation against Gaza. Voice of Israel Radio quoted the former head of Shin-Bet, Avi Dichter, as saying that the Israeli government should strictly confront the rockets coming from the Gaza Stripe through launching a military strike against Gaza if the Palestinians are not committed to the truce. Dichter said that the Israeli army is preparing to occupying the Gaza Strip and to destroy its infrastructure, adding that the Israeli government ordered the army to execute “Operation Cast Lead 2" if the Palestinian factions resumed launching rockets against Israel. Israel executed a military operation against the Gaza Strip in 2008, nicknamed ‘Operation Cast Lead,' aiming to destroy Hamas centers. The Israeli attack led to the death of hundreds of Palestinians. Arabic here.
