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Last update - 17:07 08/01/2009
Olmert: IDF has not yet achieved all its goals in Gaza offensive
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Tags: Hamas, Israel, Gaza 

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday said that Israel has not yet achieved all of its goals in its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"The decision about how we make sure that the quiet in the South remains is still before us, and the Israel Defense Forces has still not been asked to carry out everything that is necessary to achieve this," Olmert said.

The prime minister made the comments during a tour of the IDF's Gaza Division, where he was given a summary of the ongoing warfare in the Hamas-ruled territory.
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Olmert's remarks can be seen as a signal that Israel may expand the campaign, called "Operation Cast Lead". Political sources in Jerusalem on Wednesday said the decision about whether to do so or not would be made over the next few days.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak also spoke of the offensive in Gaza on Thursday, telling IDF reservists that, "The operation in Gaza is continuing."

Speaking to the troops at the Tze'elim ground forces training base, Barak added: "We see here reservists from our better units training with live-fire on urban models. Two years of intensive and exceptional effort in training, equipping, reequipping and acquainting commanders with the subjects have borne fruit."

Barak's comments came after an IDF officer was killed and another soldier was lightly wounded on Thursday during a gunbattle with Hamas militants in Gaza.


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      1.   May the Almighty protect IDF. 17:16  |  Jeff McCoy 08/01/09
      2.   to #1 Jeff 18:17  |  bashar 08/01/09
      3.   I bet Palestinians are still very proud of Hamas! 18:20  |  Marco 08/01/09
      4.   Bashar 18:48  |  Motale 08/01/09
      5.   Now how to cut your losses short 18:58  |  H.H.M. 08/01/09
      6.   sarcozy 19:56  |  c.schmidt 08/01/09
      7.   Is peace the goal? 20:04  |  kom@ 08/01/09
      8.   Olmert is right 20:16  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 08/01/09
      9.   #7 No, peace is not the goal, kom 03:05  |  Johnboy 09/01/09
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