Netanyahu tried to scare off ministers to get Gaza occupation off the table

Ministers present at 'intimidation meeting' say they were told potential long-term operation would cost hundreds of Israeli lives and billions of shekels.

High-ranking ministers were recently exposed to the nightmare scenario that would result from an Israeli effort to recapture the Gaza Strip, as part of an attempt to get ministers to reject even considering such an objective, high-ranking ministers have said.

"The demonstration was completely biased and aimed at causing us to think that we must not even think about such a move," said a minister who attended the four-hour "intimidation meeting," as some cabinet members referred to it.

The ministers were told that nearly every home in Gaza's large cities would be booby-trapped and entire streets would be lined with explosive devices aimed at killing Israeli forces. Under this scenario, hundreds of Israeli troops would be killed during the months it would take to capture the Strip and the years it would take to clear out weapons and terrorists from Gaza, in an operation that would cost billions of shekels.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.609152