Posted on 05/11/2002 4:42:43 AM PDT by krodriguesdc
Israel rules out major Gaza military offensiveLast updated: 11-05-02, 08:52
Israel appears to have ruled out a major military offensive in the Gaza Strip, moving instead toward preparing a limited operation with specific targets, public radio said today.
Plans were revised at a meeting last night between defense minister Mr Binyamin Ben Eliezer and senior military officials.
A modified, more limited operation with specific targets and a reduced number of ground forces was on the cards, according to security sources.
They said the strategy was altered because the Israeli military had lost the element of surprise.
Mr Ben Eliezer decided to defer the operation "because of leaks" about the planning, a security official said on condition of anonymity.
Details emerged from an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday night that Israeli forces were being readied for strikes on the Gaza Strip, the bastion of Islamic radicals Hamas, after Tuesday's suicide bombing near Tel Aviv that left 17 dead and 55 wounded.
The army massed tanks close to the Gaza Strip and has mobilised reservist soldiers.
According to the Israeli press, Israel has learned lessons from last month's blitz across the West Bank, and is conscious of the risks to its soldiers and the image of the country if Palestinian civilians suffer disproportionate losses in fighting in over-populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
AFP
© 2002 ireland.com
This is also a clear indication that Israel feels it depends on the largess of others for it's survival.
Gaza has a population density almost ten times as high.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.