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Ammon News - Israel is not looking to extend Operation Breaking Dawn, but is prepared to do so if necessary, cabinet ministers were told to say on Sunday, less than two days after the Gaza operation began and as Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued lobbing rockets at Israel, jpost reported.

“Israel does not want a broader campaign in Gaza, but is prepared for any developments,” read a talking point the Prime Minister’s Office sent to ministers. “This [operation] may go on for several days.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid similarly said on Sunday that “this operation will continue as long as necessary.”

He commended the IDF and Shin Bet for the strike on senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Khaled Mansour, calling it “an extraordinary achievement.”

“The IDF continues to strike terrorist targets and operatives, and to thwart rocket-launching squads,” Lapid said. “We are acting in a precise and responsible way to minimize harm to civilians.”, as reported by jpost.

Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar told Security Cabinet ministers overnight Saturday that Israel met most of the objectives it set at the outset of the operation in Gaza on Friday afternoon. Prior to the Israeli airstrikes, residents of Israeli towns near Gaza were in lockdown for three days amid threats of an escalation by Islamic Jihad.

A minister in the late-night, closed-door meeting told Channel 13 News Israel is not looking to expand the operation, though it is uncertain that conditions are ripe for a ceasefire.

Among the topics in the Security Cabinet briefing was Israel’s hope to avoid Islamic Jihad drawing Hamas into the fight, which is among the reasons that Israel’s targets for the operation have been very narrow.

Also Sunday, Lapid and his Military Secretary Avi Gil briefed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu about the security situation.