1. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi, ISA Director Yuval Diskin, the IDF Intelligence Branch Director of Research, Israel Police Inspector-General Dudi Cohen, Israel Prison Service Commissioner Benny Kaniak, Public Security Minister Avi Dicter and other senior officials briefed ministers on Operation Cast Lead, the Air Force assault on the Gaza Strip that began yesterday (Saturday), 27.12.08.  Ministers were briefed on the main points of the aerial activity and received an updated picture of security events on the ground.  Ministers were also briefed on issues related to the fighting including the response of the population in the Gaza Strip to the aerial assault and reactions among neighboring states and among Israeli Arabs.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni briefed ministers on the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic activity in the international community ahead of and during the fighting in the south.  She detailed various countries' responses to the IDF operation and described her ministry's information campaign, which is being coordinated with additional information bodies in the country.

Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai briefed ministers on the home front situation and civil defense measures for emergencies.

Prime Minister Olmert made the following remarks: "Yesterday, the State of Israel began military operations in the area of the Gaza Strip in order to restore normal life and quiet to residents of the south who – for many years – have suffered from unceasing rocket and mortar fire and terrorism designed to disrupt their lives and prevent them from enjoying a normal, relaxed and quiet life, as the citizen of any country is entitled to.

I would like to dedicate my remarks this morning to the home front.  In the reality that exists today, we all understand that while military units are confronting the enemy on the field of battle, the home front is a target for unceasing attacks.  We have seen this in many places in the past.  We have also seen it in recent years in the south, in a manner that has marred the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  The patience, determination and stamina of the residents of the home front will, in the end, determine the ability of our military, security, civilian and diplomatic frameworks to function in order to complete the mission that we think must be attained.  In recent years, the Government has invested great resources, mainly in the southern communities and especially in those that have been under missile and mortar attack.  We established a national emergency authority, and the IDF Home Front Command is deployed in all cities and communities that are being attacked, in order to deal with such problems as are liable to arise.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell ministers that the coming days and weeks must be dedicated to a special effort to provide all services so that we can respond to problems and be sensitive towards whatever distress might arise from the situation that has been created in the south and which is liable to continue for some time, perhaps more than can be foreseen at the present time.   I recommend that all ministries open continuous, rapid and immediate phone lines for all southern communities and that ministry representatives be present in every community.  More than a few communities are now within range, which have not been previously.  Their residents are unaccustomed to living in such an atmosphere and they require special attention from all government bodies, as is required in such situations.

Today, the Prime Minister's Office has dedicated a special internet site for residents of the south.  This site contains information from all Government offices and home front bodies and will relate to all matters regarding civil defense, rights, and emergency services, and allows residents to make inquiries and receive immediate answers.  I call upon all residents of the south to utilize this site and to thereby link to another source of information that can assist them."

2. In regard to the security situation in the south, the Cabinet approved the following measures:

A. Pursuant to the 1951 Civil Defense Law, to extend Defense Minister Barak's 27.12.08 declaration of a special home front situation in the area delineated on this map, effective until 31.3.09.

Pursuant to the 1951 Civil Defense Law, to immediately send this decision to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for approval.

Pursuant to the 1951 Civil Defense Law, the foregoing will be published immediately in the electronic and print media, and in the official gazette.

Following are the communities within 20 kilometers of the Gaza Strip perimeter fence that are included in this declaration: Even Shmuel, Avshalom, Ohad, Or Haner, Urim, Ahuzam, Ibim, Eitan, Erez, Eshbol, Ashkelon, B'eri, Beit Hagadi, Beit Hashikma, Beit Kama, Beror Chayil, Brosh, Berachia, Bat Hadar, Gvulot, Gabim, Givolim, Gvaram, Giah, Dorot, Dekel, Hodaya, Zohar, Zikim, Zimrat, Zerua, Hulit, Halutzit, Heletz, Yevul, Yad Mordechai, Yad Natan, Yoshvaya, Yachini, Yishi, Yated, Kochav Michael, Kisufim, Kfar Maimon, Kfar Silver, Kfar Aza, Kerem Shalom, Kramiyah, Mevoim, Mivtahim, Mavki'im, Magen, Melilot, Maslul, Ma'agalim, Mefalsim, Mishan, Negba, Noga, Nehora, Nahal Oz, Nitzanim, Nir Chen, Nir Yitzhak, Nir Yisrael, Nir Moshe, Nir Oz, Nir Am, Nir Akiva, Nirim, Netiv Ha'asara, Netivot, Sufa, Sa'ad, Uza, Otzem, Ein Habesor, Ein Hashlosha, Alumim, Ami Oz, Patish, Pa'amei Tashaz, Perigan, Tze'elim, Tzohar, Komemiyut, Kelahim, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Sapir, Revaha, Ruhama, Ranen, Reim, Shibolim, Sde David, Sde Yoav, Sde Nitzan, Sde Tzvi, Sde Avraham, Sderot, Shuva, Shokeda, Shahar, Shalva, Sharsheret, Ta'ashur, Tidhar, Tusia, Talmei Eliyahu, Talmei Bilu, Talmei Yosef, Telamim and Tekuma.

B. In light of the need for increased cooperation by and among state and local authorities and the need to provide essential services and to carry out various actions on the home front, it was proposed – in accordance with Defense Minister Barak's recommendation – to declare a National Emergency Board operational period, according to Government decisions on planning for essential economic services in time of emergency, in the area in which a special home front situation has been declared. 

C. In light of both the escalation in the firing of rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip at the State of Israel and the existing combat activity, it has become necessary to mobilize reservists to reinforce combat and command units, technical and logistical staff and rescue crews.  Given the urgency, Defense Minister Barak – with the concurrence of Prime Minister Olmert and the Government – has acted to mobilize reservists in accordance with Article 8(B)(ii) of the 2008 Reserve Service Law. 

3. The Cabinet was briefed on the activities of the National and Civic Service Administration by its Director, Dr. Reuven Gal. 

4. The Cabinet adjusted the 2009 basket of health services.  Click here for a list of medicines.

5. The Cabinet approved various amendments to legislation regarding Israel Prison service civilian employees.

6. The Cabinet approved draft legislation regarding the transfer of responsibility for foreign workers from the Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry to the Interior Ministry Population, Migration and Border Crossings Authority.