"Iran has played an important part in the development of the military capabilities of Hamas"

• "Turkey should realize that the only stable, democratic country in the stormy Middle East and an ally which she can rely on, is Israel"

• Interview with His Excellency, Mr. Dan Ben-Eliezer, ambassador of Israel in Romania

Reporter: Your Excellency, how would you comment on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas?

Dan Ben-Eliezer: On November 21, Israel agreed to give a chance to a ceasefire with Hamas and all Palestinian factions that fired rockets, in order to enable the situation to return to calm before there was a need to use greater force, thus allowing the citizens of Israel to return to their normal lives.

In the two weeks since the start of this latest aggression upon Israeli citizens, more than 1300 rockets and mortar shells were launched from the Gaza Strip, killing and injuring innocent people. While the residents of communities near Gaza border have been suffering for many years from such attacks on a routine basis, as the terrorist activities escalated, missiles hit also Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other central areas of our country.

Israel decided to launch Operation Pillar of Defense as it could no longer allow its population to be under constant threat. But Israel has shown once again that it prefers the diplomatic track to solve conflicts and hopes that the understanding will be a sustainable one this time.

Based on this understanding shepherded by Egypt which led to the ceasefire, it will be possible to discuss in the future - not directly - other issues raised by the sides.

Israel will honor the ceasefire, but reserves the right to react in self-defense to its violation by the terrorist organizations.

Reporter: The Israeli government has demanded all attacks launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel be stopped for a long period of time. Has Hamas pledged to impose stricter control on all military factions in the Gaza Strip?

Dan Ben-Eliezer: Israel disengaged completely from the Gaza Strip in 2005, in order to make progress in the peace process. However, despite the removal of all its military bases and civilian communities, Hamas has continued to attack Israel, demonstrating that they are fighting not against Israel's presence in Gaza, but against Israel's very existence.

At the time Israel left the Gaza Strip, the hope and belief were that the Palestinians would take over the infrastructures that had been left for them and turn Gaza into a Middle Eastern success-story. They could have used the opportunity to show the world that they have the will and the capability to build a democratic, peace-loving state, but instead Hamas grabbed power, and they continued to stress that they will never end the "armed resistance" until the "Zionist entity" is entirely eradicated.

There have been ceasefires in the past which were broken and the aggression towards Israel resumed. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and the ceasefire that was reached (November 21st) implies that the aggression towards Israel will end not only from Hamas, but also from all the other militant factions operating in Gaza.

Reporter: Another demand of the Israeli government was for arms trafficking at the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt to be stopped. Has Hamas agreed to stop all such actions? Has the Egyptian Government promised to impose stricter control at the border with the Gaza Strip?

Dan Ben-Eliezer: The main source of the arms trafficking into Gaza is Iran. Iran has played a major role in the development of Hamas's military capabilities, by providing them with high-quality weapons that have been used against Israeli citizens. In addition, Iran has assisted the terrorist organizations operating in Gaza by having their operatives undergo training with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, providing them with financial aid, and helping them with know-how for local weapons production. The Iranians have focused mainly on expanding and upgrading the rocket arsenal, which includes 75 km long-range Fajr-5 rockets capable of reaching the Tel-Aviv area.

As for Egypt, it has guided the understandings for this ceasefire with Hamas and the other Palestinian factions. Therefore, Israel expects the Government of Egypt to deal with the arms trafficking at its border with the Gaza Strip.

Reporter: Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently stated that Israel is a terrorist state and accused it of ethnic cleansing. What is the relationship between Israel and Turkey and how do you comment on the prime minister's statements?

Dan Ben-Eliezer: We are aware of the comments made by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan about Israel. Turkey is a very important player in the region and we are sorry about the existing deterioration of the diplomatic relations between our two countries. We do hope that one day these relations will be rehabilitated.

But also Turkey should realize that the only stable, democratic country in the stormy Middle East and an ally which it can rely on, is Israel. Moreover, by rehabilitating our relations, Turkey might even have an instrumental role in promoting the peace process in the region.

Reporter: Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have celebrated the cease-fire, consider it to be a success of the militant forces. What is your view on this?

Dan Ben-Eliezer: Palestinians in the Gaza Strip might have celebrated the ceasefire. Also, after the bombing of the bus in the center of Tel Aviv (November 21st), when many countries, including Romania, condemned the attack and expressed their sympathy for the Israelis that were wounded, Hamas and other terrorist organizations were cheering and handing out cakes.

It is regrettable to see that people in Gaza were celebrating the death and injuries of innocent civilians, but unfortunately this is our reality. This is the "culture" that Israel confronts with in its immediate neighborhood.

Reporter: Thank you!