Israeli President Shimon Peres meeting Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini in Jerusalem. Photo: GPO / Mark Neiman.

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday said Hamas’s rejection of Egypt’s proposed ceasefire that was accepted by Israel and the Arab League has left the militant group isolated in Gaza.

At the start of meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini in Jerusalem, Peres said, “It’s a clear situation today, Egypt offered a ceasefire. Israel accepted it. The Arab League accepted it. The only one that refused and continues to fire is the Hamas,” adding that with European and American support for Israel, “This time Hamas is isolated, justice has a clear majority.”

Peres said the Israel Defense Forces has alerted residents of Gaza of the location of impending strikes and asked them to disregard instructions from Hamas to remain as human shields.

“There is a zone from which most of the rockets are being fired and we issued a warning to the people to leave instead of becoming victims of the policy of Hamas which tries to protect their rockets with civilians,” Peres said. “Our choice is to do what we can to minimize civilian casualties and we are permitting the arrival of food and other essential supplies including medication.”

Addressing Mogherini, Peres thanked Europe and the U.S. for offering their support for Israel. He said, “Europe and the U.S. took a clear stance against the one-sided, unreasonable and cruel policy of Hamas. I think Hamas will meet its end because no-one will continue to support terror, and that will be the best news for the people of Gaza. At the same time we shall continue to look for ways and opening to renew the political negotiations but we would like to see a permanent peace instead of ongoing terror. This time Hamas is isolated, justice has a clear majority.”

Mogherini said, “My visit in Ashdod yesterday showed me the strong physical and psychological pressure, on the people. As a mother I understand very well the pressure and the tension there and at the same time the number of civilian victims in Gaza is extremely worrying.”

“I think it’s in the interest of the Israeli and Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, to stop this,” she said. “All that we can do to support a ceasefire will be done, not only Italy but also in coordination with the other European countries and the United States. I hope that these difficult days will come to an end soon. My visit is to support this effort to reach a ceasefire and immediately restart talks in a dynamic and creative way, to end this conflict.”

Mogherini said, “The region is tense and there is the risk of radicalization in the Arab world and also in Europe, where we know we have to pay attention to the risk of anti-Semitism, especially in these days.”