Israeli minister: Gaza ground operation decision very soon

The senior Likud minister Limor Livnot said Monday that the decision about an IDF incursion into the Gaza Strip would not take long – no more than 24 hours.

Earlier, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz Monday briefed commanders of the units poised at jumping-off points for orders to enter the Gaza Strip after he me the thousands of reservist troops gathered there Sunday. Speaking to reporters Monday, a source close to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that if diplomacy fails to achieve an agreed ceasefire, Israel will have no option but to send troops into the Gaza Strip.