"Yesterday, the State of Israel began military operations in the area of the Gaza Strip in order to restore normal life and quiet to residents of the south who – for many years – have suffered from unceasing rocket and mortar fire and terrorism designed to disrupt their lives and prevent them from enjoying a normal, relaxed and quiet life, as the citizen of any country is entitled to.

I would like to dedicate my remarks this morning to the home front.  In the reality that exists today, we all understand that while military units are confronting the enemy on the field of battle, the home front is a target for unceasing attacks.  We have seen this in many places in the past.  We have also seen it in recent years in the south, in a manner that has marred the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  The patience, determination and stamina of the residents of the home front will, in the end, determine the ability of our military, security, civilian and diplomatic frameworks to function in order to complete the mission that we think must be attained.  In recent years, the Government has invested great resources, mainly in the southern communities and especially in those that have been under missile and mortar attack.  We established a national emergency authority, and the IDF Home Front Command is deployed in all cities and communities that are being attacked, in order to deal with such problems as are liable to arise.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell ministers that the coming days and weeks must be dedicated to a special effort to provide all services so that we can respond to problems and be sensitive towards whatever distress might arise from the situation that has been created in the south and which is liable to continue for some time, perhaps more than can be foreseen at the present time.   I recommend that all ministries open continuous, rapid and immediate phone lines for all southern communities and that ministry representatives be present in every community.  More than a few communities are now within range, which have not been previously.  Their residents are unaccustomed to living in such an atmosphere and they require special attention from all government bodies, as is required in such situations.

Today, the Prime Minister's Office has dedicated a special internet site for residents of the south.  This site contains information from all Government offices and home front bodies and will relate to all matters regarding civil defense, rights, and emergency services, and allows residents to make inquiries and receive immediate answers.  I call upon all residents of the south to utilize this site and to thereby link to another source of information that can assist them.  Today, we will declare a special situation on the home front and, on the recommendation of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, will approve special National Emergency Board services in order to cope with all missions connected to the reality that we are currently experiencing.  Today, we will today be briefed by security bodies on the developing operation in the south and I have requested Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to inform us about the international activities that are an inseparable element of the operation.

I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the entire Government, to send special greetings, a brave handshake and a warm embrace to all residents of the south.  On behalf of the entire Government, I note with deep sorrow the murder of Beber Vaknin from Netivot and share in the pain of his family and friends.  We wish the wounded a quick recovery and seek to strengthen the spirit of all residents of the south in particular, and of the State of Israel in general.  This is not a simple situation.  We will act with sagacity, patience and determination.  We believe that by acting in such a manner, in the end, will lead to the result that we are all hoping for.  Thank you very much."