Olmert: Israel 'approaching goals' in Gaza

JERUSALEM, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Israel "is approaching the goals it set for itself" with its military actions in Gaza but more needs to be done, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says.

Speaking Sunday at a meeting of the Israeli Cabinet, Olmert said that while "Operation Cast Lead" was bearing fruit on its aim of taking out the offensive capabilities of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, more needed to be done, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"Israel is approaching the goals it set for itself, but we require further patience, determination and effort so that our citizens can feel safety and stability," Olmert said. "The Israeli public, especially the residents of the South, have the necessary patience and willingness -- so does the government!"

Olmert also struck back at international critics who say the Israeli Defense Force's 15-day Gaza assault has been disproportionate to Hamas' firing of rockets into southern Israel.

"No country in the world, even those preaching morals to us, would have shown the tolerance and restraint that we have," the Post quoted Olmert saying. "We have never agreed that anyone decide for us if we are allowed to strike at those who send missiles into our kindergartens and schools, and we never will."