Posted on 03/08/2002 5:53:58 PM PST by monkeyshine
Honestly, if 600 fighters surrendered today, along with ~60 killed, that means the will to fight is vanishing. These guys aren't Al-Queda. They have'nt travelled 1000's of miles all sworn to the death for this fight -- they are in a sense victims of their circumstances and geography, and it's easy for them to join in the fight when it doesn't mean anything, when peer pressure is there, but when you are staring at your dead buddy, and bullets are flying over your head, you might be more inclined to try to negotiate a peace for the sake of your mother and children.
But just read the sidebar for the news. Arafat called Powell today and begged him to get Sharon to call off the incursions (in his own words, of course). That means it's having an effect. And strangely, no Arabs leaders have issued any condemnations and the UN is also very quiet. I think the message to Arafat is "you are getting what you deserve. You asked for it, now you got it".
The IDF responded aggressively by attacking Palestinian targets throughout Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. Armored forces, covered by combat helicopters, entered the outskirts of Bethlehem from several directions and took over the neighborhoods originally founded for refugees that have since become terrorist strongholds. IDF troops entered Beit Jala, from where fire is often directed at homes in Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood, and tanks approached the town as well. Among the some two-dozen Arabs reported killed in the various offensives was one terrorist eliminated in a helicopter-missile strike.
In Khan Yunis, Gaza, IDF forces killed about ten of Muhammad Dahlan's forces, including Gen. Ahmed Mafrej, commander of the central Gaza district and the most senior Palestinian killed since the Oslo War began. The IDF said his death was unintentional; he was not actively engaged in the fighting at the time. Arab sources said that Israeli naval ships launched several rockets at Gaza.
In Tul Karem in western Shomron, IDF forces continue to surround some 300 armed terrorists of Tanzim, Force 17, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. Fire was exchanged there during the night; a Border Guard policeman and a soldier were each lightly wounded. Nine Arabs were killed there yesterday, and dozens were wounded. IDF sources said the army would not leave the area until all the terrorists were arrested. PLO sources said that the terrorists had planted mines in the camp, and that men wearing explosives packs were awaiting the IDF soldiers. PA diplomatic sources have begun an international campaign to pressure Israel not to enter the camp.
www.israelnationalnews.com
Let us both hope that is true, rather than hype. It sounds a bit too good to be true.
Apparantly the PA forces don't have the ability to outflank the IDF and launch a rear guard action against these surrounding forces.
Saturday, March 09, 2002 Adar 25, 5762 Israel Time: 09:53 (GMT+2) Last update - 08:42 09/03/2002
By Jalal Bana, Amos Harel and Amira Hass, Ha'aretz Correspondents, and agencies
Two hundred armed Palestinians in the Tul Karm refugee camp, on the outskirts of the West Bank city, laid down their weapons Friday afternoon and gave themselves up to IDF troops in the camp on a day in which 44 Palestinians were killed during IDF operations in the territories. The Palestinians were among those surrounded by IDF troops in a central area of the camp who had engaged in fierce gunbattles with the soldiers since the troops entered the camp two days earlier.
According to an agreement reached between the Palestinian Authority and the army, the gunmen in the refugee camp were allowed to put down their weapons and surrender to IDF troops without fear of injury. Some 600 men, out of which 200 were armed, followed instructions announced on loudspeakers for every male between the ages of 15 and 50 to leave the camp unarmed.
All of the men who left the camp underwent a security check carried out by Shin Bet, in order to verify that they were not on a list of suspects wanted by Israel.
Judging by the small number of men who were involved in the fighting who gave themselves up, it is unclear how many of the armed men in the camp actually agreed to surrender.
If true, not a bad day at all. No wonder Arfy is crying wolf.
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.