Posted on 06/20/2002 6:03:52 AM PDT by SJackson
In accordance with the government's new policy of re-claiming Palestinian Authority-controlled territory following terrorist attacks, the IDF is expected to widen its current operations in Area A and remain there for an indefinite period in response to last night's attack in Jerusalem.
Hours after the attack, IAF helicopters and warplanes hit Palestinian targets in the Gaza Strip. The IDF Spokesman said IAF helicopters targeted metalwork factories used to make weapons in Khan Yunis, Gaza City, and the Jabaliya refugee camp. A statement issued by the IDF said the army will continue to operate "using all means at its disposal in order to protect Israeli citizens and soldiers."
According to Palestinians, helicopters and warplanes attacked targets affiliated with Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the PA. Palestinian sources claimed six people were wounded in the air strikes, and that in the Gaza Strip, a building located near Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's home was hit as well as targets in Beit Lahiya.
Last night's IDF response to the two suicide bombings in Jerusalem within less than 36 hours, in which 25 Israelis were killed and scores wounded, came after a government statement issued Tuesday night warned there would be "a change in the way Israel responds," and would include "capturing Palestinian Authority territory... areas that will be held by Israel as long as terrorism continues."
Israeli security officials described Israel's response as a "harsh continuous operation" that would be widespread, but different from Operation Defensive Shield.
Senior diplomatic officials said last night this policy is two-pronged. First, it reflects the opinion that the best way to keep the terrorists from carrying out attacks is to physically be in Area A at least until a security fence is built something proven by Operation Defensive Shield.
Secondly, the approach has a deterrent factor, sending a message to the Palestinians that they have something to lose in terms of territory if the attacks continue.
Both Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, however, expressed reservations about the policy, adopted in a forum made up of the coalition's faction heads.
Peres, who believes Israel should now concentrate its military efforts on going after Hamas in the Gaza Strip, met last night with Sharon to discuss Israel's response.
Ben-Eliezer was quoted as saying yesterday he is against taking over parts of Area A as a means of punishment. At the same time, he said the IDF will remain in parts of the PA-controlled areas for extended periods of time.
Early yesterday morning, following the expanded inner cabinet's discussion of how to react to Tuesday's bombing in Gilo, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying it was decided "to take several military actions against the Palestinian Authority and the murderous organizations. This includes inter alia a change in the way Israel responds to murderous acts of terrorism."
According to the statement, from now on Israel "will respond to acts of terrorism by capturing PA territory. These areas will be held by Israel as long as terrorism continues. Additional acts of terrorism will lead to the taking of additional areas."
One senior official in the Prime Minister's Office said this decision represents a "tactical change." "This is not a strategic change," he said, "but a tactical one. It is a continuation of our policy that since there is no one on the other side to fight terrorism, we have to do it."
Although aware that the policy is likely to spark protest form abroad, the official said, "There are things we must do to protect our citizens, regardless of how the world reacts." He stressed, however, that what is being discussed is not reoccupation, but rather militarily remaining in certain areas until the terrorist attacks cease.
The official would not discuss the details of how decisions will be made regarding how much land to take over, and under what circumstances.
"These are the tactical decision that the IDF will determine," he said.
One senior diplomatic official said the decision was vaguely worded on purpose, neither spelling out how long the IDF would remain in the areas nor how much would be taken over, in order to send a message to the Palestinians without igniting widespread international protest.
The official said the policy may, however, lead to an intensification in the level of fighting, since every terrorist attack will bring an Israeli response that if it involves taking over Palestinian cities holds within it the potential for the type of fighting seen in the Jenin refugee camp in April.
| 14:13 Jun-20-02, 10 Tammuz 5762
'Yes' Says No to Continued One-Sided Reporting |
| (IsraelNN.com) Israel's 'Yes' satellite TV has announced it will be responding to the growing number of demands to offer viewers Fox News in light of the continued anti-Israel bias displayed in CNN news reports. Yes officials report that Fox news will be part of the basic subscription package, making available to all satellite subscribers. Fox has proven itself as a more well-balanced news program vis-à-vis its coverage of events in Israel. Yes executives added that Fox will be aired on a channel close to CNN, offering viewers both options. |
If the official policy is really occupying territory in response to attacks, I think that would be a very interesting move. It would also halt the destruction of artifacts under the Dome. Israel would be a much better caretaker.
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