Netanyahu says Israeli to do what it needs to defend itself

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated that his country will continue to do what it needs to do to defend itself until peace and tranquility are restored.

During a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini at the Knesset, Netanyahu called on the international community to condemn Hamas for committing the "double war crime" of targeting Israeli civilians with rockets and using Palestinian civilians as human shields. He also said that the "most important step for the international community to insist on is "the demilitarization of Gaza."

"Imagine that Rome, Florence, and Milan were rocketed. You wouldn't accept that. You'd fight back. Those firing the rockets aren't seeking a political solution," Netanyahu addressed Mogherini.

Italian FM praised Netanyahu for accepting the ceasefire while calling on both sides to exercise restraint.