Israeli DM: We Will Press On
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Correspondent Tel Aviv, Israel (AHN) - Defense Minister Amir Peretz Thursday said that despite the difficulty of dealing with military casualties in Lebanon and the hardships of living under a missile threat, Israel must press on to victory. Speaking to reporters at an evening press briefing, Peretz stated that Israel has "embarked on an unavoidable war," and warned that "if needed, we will exert all the power required in order to defend Israel and complete the battle." "This is a war we must win," he said, just hours after Israel's security cabinet approved the call-up of an additional 30,000 reserve troops. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz followed Peretz, thanking the government for "backing us and approving our operation," and explaining that the "enlistment of reservists is aimed at creating another protection level and enabling the army to prepare for any possibility." Both men confirmed that the goal of the current Israeli ground offensive is to push Hezbollah back from the border and create a shallow buffer zone. They did not elaborate on whether that buffer zone would be patrolled by Israeli soldiers or enforced with artillery and air power. Reaching that goal, Peretz said, "may take time, [and] may also require strength. We have both."
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