Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – There is “a significant likelihood” that the current Israel Defense Forces ground operation “will end with Israel retaking full control over Gaza,” Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said Saturday.

Steinitz explained that the decision was based on the assessment that Hamas was not ready for a cease-fire. The Israeli Diplomatic-Security Cabinet unanimously approved an expansion of the ground incursion based on the understanding that Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza pose no less of a threat to Israel than the incessant rocket fire, according to Israel Hayom.

“Operation Protective Edge will continue as long as necessary, until calm and security are restored,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said.

More than 100 rockets were fired at Israel from over the weekend.