(Livni): 'No Negotiations' With Hamas

[tekisui]

Source: Spiegel

SPIEGEL: Ms. Livni, has Israel achieved its aim of destroying the radical Islamist group Hamas?

Tzipi Livni: No, but Israel has successfully weakened Hamas and dealt it a heavy blow. The operation was never about destroying Hamas -- rather our aim was to restore our deterrence capability. We took their leaders by surprise with our operation. They will think twice before they dare to fire the next rocket at Israel.

SPIEGEL: In Lebanon in 2006, you pushed early on for a strategy to end the war. What is your exit strategy for the current war in the Gaza Strip?

Livni: The Lebanon war involved two states facing each other, and at the end there was an agreement. But for me, there can be no settlement with terror -- I only know the war against terror. The most important thing is to strike a blow against Hamas. In addition, we have to get the problem of weapons smuggling across the Egyptian border under control.

SPIEGEL: Are you in favor of a formal cease-fire with Hamas?

Livni: We are not thinking about pulling back. This is not a war which can be ended with a peace treaty. Hamas refuses to recognize Israel and is not prepared to stop the terror and violence. Our war against Hamas is far from over, even if the current military operation comes to an end at some point.

SPIEGEL: Then why did Defense Minister Ehud Barak send a negotiator to Cairo to discuss a cease-fire? Are such talks useless?

Livni: I for one do not negotiate with Hamas and believe it is a mistake to do so.

more: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,601010,00.html

[bunnies]

1. "They will think twice before they dare to fire the next rocket at Israel."

I guess thats why they've stopped firing right? Oh, wait... :banghead: