The rocket attack launched from militants in the Gaza Strip this week proves Israel must stand firm against the coastal territory’s Hamas rulers in the wake of the prisoner swap deal that secured abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit’s release, right-wing MKs said Thursday.

The Israel Defense Forces earlier Thursday targeted four sites in the Gaza Strip following the firing of a rocket that hit an open territory near the city of Ashdod the night before. The rocket attack triggered sirens in the central cities of Rehovot and Rishon Letzion and residents were told to take shelter.

Speaking on Thursday, Likud MK Danny Danon said that following the “generosity” Israel displayed in the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap deal, the “time has come for Israel to “deal with the heads of the Hamas snake in Gaza.”

“Hamas no longer has control of its hostage, and now a red line must be drawn, one that would prevent residents of the South from belonging tp Hamas’ new-old hostages,” the Likud MK said.

Also referring to the possible link between the Shalit deal and the recent Gaza attack, National Union MK Aryeh Eldad called on the chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Shaul Mofaz to hold an emergency meeting to discuss what he called “the grave security consequences of the Shalit deal.”

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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