Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, this afternoon, held an assessment of the security situation in wake of recent events in the Gaza Strip and the firing of missiles at communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip.  Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi, ISA Director Yuval Diskin and other senior security establishment officials attended part of the discussions.

Prime Minister Olmert said: ""The Government of Israel views the firing of missiles and attacks from Gaza as a basic violation of the understandings that led to the calm and Israel has no intention of tolerating these events. It is unacceptable that the population in Israel, in particular in the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip, be subjected to a situation of such uncertainty as there was several months ago, before the understandings.  In this context, current Home Front Command activities will be increased in order to assist the aforementioned communities.  Similarly, pressure will continue to be placed on Hamas vis-a-vis the operation of the crossings and in other aspects."