Lieberman's remarks come as international mediators try to halt new fighting between Israel and Hamas that escalated dramatically last week to the most intense confrontation between the two since Israel's war in the Palestinian territory in late December 2008.
After a lull overnight, Lieberman told Israel Radio on Monday that Hamas exploits calm to “build its fighting force and smuggle in weapons to use against Israel, and a cease-fire would contradict Israel's national interests.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Sunday that restraint on Israel's part would be the watchword. "We intend to restore the quiet," he said. "If that is also Hamas' intention, quiet will be restored. If Hamas intensifies its attacks ... our response will be much more severe."
Hamas' deputy defense minister, Ghazi Hamad called for a halt to the fighting during an Israel Radio interview. "We are interested in calm, but we want the Israeli army to stop its attacks," he said.
“That statement was reinforced by indirect messages Hamas has been sending Israel since Saturday to announce it is seeking a cease-fire,” a senior Israeli official said.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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