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JERUSALEM (AFP) - A hardline Israeli minister called on Sunday for the destruction of the Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip in order to stop continuing Palestinian rocket fire from the unruly territory.

"The current coalition faces its hour of truth," Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman said as he entered a meeting of the powerful security cabinet to discuss Israel's military options in Gaza.

"Either we dismantle Hamas or we dismantle the coalition government. It's the only alternative possible," he said. "This is not an ultimatum and I'm not imposing a definitive date. But it is the only option.

"Hamas must be completely dismantled in such a manner that a completely new situation is created. It is time to pass from words to acts."