Israel has offered to deport a hunger-striking prisoner to Europe or a U.N.-member country, in an effort to reach a compromise over the high-profile detainee.

After seven years in power, Benjamin Netanyahu has finally pulled the trigger, unleashing an offensive to stop Gaza rocket salvos.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Throughout his long political career, Israel's prime minister has earned a reputation as a tough talker. An ardent hawk who wrote a book about how to defeat terrorism, Benjamin Netanyahu has previously threatened to attack Iran, topple Gaza's Hamas leaders and strike hard at Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

But only now, after seven years in power, he has finally pulled the trigger, unleashing an offensive to stop Gaza rocket salvos. The public and even his political opponents have all lined up behind him.

The report undercuts Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's claim that tougher tactics are needed.