Israeli seeks to deter missile attacks

JERUSALEM, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- An Israeli foreign affairs official says the country needs to change its military strategy to prevent future missile attacks by Palestinian militants.

Knesset member Shaul Mofaz, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who approved two Israeli attacks Tuesday night against suspected militants in Gaza, said Israel needs to respond differently to Palestinian violence, The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.

"Not to occupy Gaza," Mofaz said in an interview with Army Radio, "but to act in a way that would cause terrorist organizations to think twice before firing long-range missiles."

The attacks, which killed at least three people, were in retaliation for two short-range rockets fired into Israel by Palestinians on Sunday and Monday, the Post said. The Israeli military said Tuesday's attacks were aimed at taking out global Jihad operatives.

Mofaz said inefficient retaliation policies have eroded deterrence.