President Shimon Peres reacted Thursday to Gaza terrorists’ ongoing attacks on southern Israel. Hamas is responsible for the rocket fire, he charged, and it will get “fire for fire.”

“Tonight, the IDF did what needed to be done – it attacked dozens of targets in Gaza,” Peres stated. The IDF hit 29 targets belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad following a day in which terrorists fired more than 60 rockets at Israeli civilians in communities across southern Israel.

The IDF was right to target Hamas, Peres continued. “The rocket fire was carried out by the Islamic Jihad, but Hamas is responsible. Hamas’ leadership says it holds power in Gaza; if so, it is responsible for what happens in Gaza, too,” he declared.

“The state of Israel will not accept rocket fire on our citizens in any way whatsoever,” he warned. “Hamas should decide how they want to live. They will get fire for fire, and a ceasefire for a ceasefire.”

Peres praised residents of southern Israel for their bravery in the face of attack. “Israel’s sympathies are with those living near Gaza, who have yet again been forced to go on alert and to run from fire.

“They have behaved honorably,” he said, and sent special wishes to children in the region. In some communities closest to Gaza including the city of Sderot, more than half of all children suffer from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a disorder usually associated with military combat veterans.

“I want to wish all the children living near Gaza a happy Purim. You deserve it!” he said.

“Keep being good, brave children, the pride of the nation,” he concluded.