Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is preparing for the possibility of launching a broad “surprise” campaign along its southern border with the Gaza Strip, claiming to hold no illusions that a political agreement can be reached with the enclave’s ruling Hamas.

“I want there be calm — not that we are under the illusion that we can reach a political agreement with Hamas who wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth,” Netanyahu said during a meeting in the southern Israeli city of Askhelon on Thursday, an area heavily targeted by Gaza militants in previous escalations.

“But we are preparing for a campaign that is not only broad, but also surprising.”

“I am not going to hesitate to do what is necessary,” Netanyahu continued, vowing that “election considerations” will not guide his policy decisions with regards to the security arena.

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