Israeli minister: Hamas trying to avert war

The Israeli minister for Home Front Defense said Saturday Hamas was trying to avoid a new military assault on the Gaza Strip, but it depended on Gaza to bring an end to violence that has killed 15 Palestinians since Friday. "It began, as previous rounds, with our decision to hurt a man worthy of hurting. As for how it ends, that depends on the other side," Matan Vilnai said on a visit to Beersheba, Israeli news site Ynet reported. An Israeli airstrike assassinated the leader of the Popular Resistance Committees on Friday, sparking a series of deadly airstrikes and volleys of rockets into southern Israel, which have injured eight Israelis. "Hamas is doing everything in its power to avoid a 'Cast Lead 2' ... We'll see where it's going later on tonight," Vilnai added.