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IDF soldiers walking near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday. (Reuters)
Last update - 00:18 23/10/2006
IDF troops kill Palestinian in West Bank arrest operation
By Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondents

Israel Defense Forces troops operating in the West Bank on Sunday killed a Palestinian man during an arrest raid near Jenin.

Mohammed Uda, 23, was killed by IDF gunfire as troops searched the village of Tamun to arrest Islamic Jihad activist Bashar Bani Uda.

Also Sunday, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired at least two Qassam rockets at the western Negev, which caused damage to farmland, but no injuries.

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Defense Minister Amir Peretz said earlier Sunday that the IDF would act against all Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip whenever a rocket were fired from the area.

"There is no situation in which we examine who fired the rocket," he told world Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. "The moment it's fired into Israel, the army will act against all terror organizations without differentiating who it belonged to."

In a separate incident Sunday, a Palestinian security officer was killed in internal Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security officials said.

The man worked for Preventive Security, a security organization allied with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction, the officials said.

The identity of the assailants was not immediately known, but the officials linked the killing to internal Palestinian violence that has been raging in the Gaza Strip for weeks. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

Fatah is embroiled in a feud with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the government in the Palestinian Authority. At least 14 people have been killed in street violence between forces loyal to the rivals. Early Sunday, a Fatah activist was killed in a clash with Hamas gunmen.

Ministers call for resumed control of Philadelphi route
Cabinet ministers Rafi Eitan (Pensioner's Party) and Eli Yishai (Shas) called on Sunday for a military operation to retake control of Gaza's southern border and stop Palestinian militants from smuggling in weapons from neighboring Egypt.

Last week, the IDF embarked on a major anti-smuggling operation in Gaza. Troops returned to the Philadelphi Route, a strip of land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, for the first time since the evacuation of troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip over a year ago. Troops overtook the southern part of the Philadelphi Route, and retain control over the area. The IDF also uncovered several underground tunnels constructed for the purpose of smuggling weapons from Egypt into Gaza.

During a cabinet meeting held on Sunday, Industry and Trade Minister Yishai said, "Action must be taken without hesitation. Any hesitation is dangerous and we must act immediately."

"When we left the Philadelphi Route, I said that abandoning it is a doorway to hell," he said. "The security cabinet, or the "kitchen cabinet" [of seven key ministers] must discuss this matter now, instead of having to come up with a response plan following every Qassam attack," he added.

Pensioner's Party chairman Rafi Eitan said at the meeting that retaking control over the Philadelphi Route is necessary in order to prevent the transfer of weapons and ammunition across the border into Gaza. He said that the IDF must retain control over the Philadelphi Route for an extended period of time, but cautioned against re-occupying the remainder of the Gaza Strip.

Peretz said at the meeting that the IDF would continue its operation in Gaza.

"We gave Gaza back to the Palestinians, and now they are tempting fate. The Hamas organization is behaving wildly," said Vice Premier Shimon Peres (Kadima), referring to the governing Palestinian faction.

Israel estimates that since the withdrawal from Gaza, tons of munitions, including advanced shoulder-fired missiles, have been smuggled into Gaza from Egypt.

Earlier Sunday, Yom-Tov Samia, a reservist general on special assignment as deputy chief of the Southern Command, called for the 12-kilometer (7.5 mile) corridor to be retaken and its buffer zone widened - something that may entail razing Palestinian homes.

"The objective would be to prevent Hamas from replicating what happened with Hezbollah in Lebanon," Samia told Army Radio, referring to the difficulty met by IDF when confronted with the Hezbollah's arms supply during this summer's war in Lebanon.

"This would have to take place in the coming days or weeks," he said.

IDF curbs anti-Qassam shelling of Gaza
As Prime Minister Ehud Olmert prepared to convene his security cabinet this week to discuss Israel's response to the firing of Qassam rockets and increased smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip, the IDF has almost completely stopped the controversial use of artillery fire in the Gaza Strip.

Until now, artillery has spearheaded the IDF effort to combat Qassams. The thousands of shells fired by the IDF have been aimed at open areas to avoid hitting civilians. However, a number of Palestinian civilians have been killed and dozens wounded.

The new division commander for the Gaza front, Brigadier General Moshe Tamir, believes that artillery fire does not further the goal of limiting Qassam attacks. Military sources told Haaretz that entry of infantry personnel and Armored Corps to the launch areas obviates the need for artillery for the time being.

Palestinian gunners fired two Qassams into the western Negev early on Sunday. There were no reports of injuries or damage. An anti-tank missile was fired at IDF forces over the weekend, and a total of at least 14 Qassam rockets have been fired at the Negev since Friday. A Sderot resident was slightly injured by shrapnel in the attacks.

Sources: No Israeli offensive for now
Security sources said Israel is not expected to embark on a military operation in the Strip before Olmert's visit to Washington scheduled to take place in three weeks.

However, calls are increasing for a widespread operation in the Strip to strike at Hamas and other Palestinian organizations' military infrastructure before they obtain additional weapons.

Defense Minister Amir Peretz has held consultations over the past few days to seek an exit from the political deadlock with the Palestinians. Peretz believes the lack of progress is dangerous for Israel, and if it continues, will lead to major Israeli military action in the Strip.

Large-scale action in Gaza will be more complex than similar action in the West Bank due to the Strip's dense population, and the security establishment fears it would result in numerous Israel Defense Forces casualties. Nevertheless, the IDF does not discount a reoccupation of the area.

At least ten Qassam rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza landed in the western Negev over the weekend, lightly wounding one person.

Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces troops continued this weekend in their operation to destroy arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza.

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Eyewitness to hell
A Jew born in Berdichev, Ukraine, Vasily Grossman would never say die.
Friends with fennel
Long ago I gave up a life of extremes in black and white in favor of a complex life.
  1.   Israel should be STRONG and FIRM. PALS had their chance.......... 03:42  |  Vittorio 22/10/06
  2.   re: Vittorio #1 04:47  |  Paulo 22/10/06
  3.   MORE BLOOD THIRTY OPERATIONS FOR PRIMITIVE ROCKETS 05:09  |  Dutch 22/10/06
  4.   IT IS A MUST 05:22  |  George 22/10/06
  5.   OLMERT GOVERMENT CAN ONLY FIGHT SEATTLERS NOT TERRORIST 05:24  |  OLMERT + KADIMA OUT 22/10/06
  6.   DISENGEMENT IS THE REASON WHY KASSAM FALLS ON ISREAL 05:32  |  NO TO LEFT WING 22/10/06
  7.   To Paulo... 05:47  |  George 22/10/06
  8.   DISENGENMENT=INDANGERMENT=KASSAM 05:49  |  OLMERT + KADIMA OUT 22/10/06
  9.   To Dutch... 05:50  |  George 22/10/06
  10.   #1 says it all 05:53  |  dave 22/10/06
  11.   George (#9) - "Dutch`s story" 07:04  |  Tod Zuckerman 22/10/06
  12.   re: Georgia #7 07:08  |  Paulo 22/10/06
  13.   Let`s ANNOUNCE THE DAY & HOUR WE`RE ATTACKING... 07:14  |  amir 22/10/06
  14.   what is abbas` plan for gaza? 07:16  |  vik 22/10/06
  15.   There beyond the hills part II 08:12  |  JordanianPalestinian 22/10/06
  16.   Can`t come soon enough 08:32  |  Art 22/10/06
  17.   Peretz in such a Hurry to Give Away the West Bank 08:50  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  18.   Unreal now kadima stops overflights over lebanon 09:12  |  John 22/10/06
  19.   Instead of Peretz Craps Leftist Talks 09:29  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  20.   Re `Israel should be STRONG and FIRM` etc, etc. 09:56  |  Colin Wright 22/10/06
  21.   IDF Qassems & Gaza and Paulo 09:58  |  Iman 22/10/06
  22.   # 5 , # 8 , OLMERT KADIMA IN and Certainly Not Out 10:02  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  23.   paulo you are confused 10:24  |  paul 22/10/06
  24.   Qassam fatalities...? 10:32  |  Lebanese admirer 22/10/06
  25.   Support for Dutch.... 10:35  |  Lebanese admirer 22/10/06
  26.   they have made pastrami sandwich 10:38  |  Maureen Ann 22/10/06
  27.   Sderot has lost 8 residents from kassams 10:41  |  John 22/10/06
  28.   11 rockets - no injuries 10:53  |  Lebanese admirer 22/10/06
  29.   # 26 Maureen Ann , 11:41  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  30.   Amazing 11:54  |  An Arab Neighbor 22/10/06
  31.   re: Paul 12:03  |  Paulo 22/10/06
  32.   TO #22 WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE EFFI EITAM TO BE PM 12:18  |  OLMERT + KADIMA OUT 22/10/06
  33.   # 3 13:01  |  Reemo ook Dutch 22/10/06
  34.   28 13:08  |  Reemo 22/10/06
  35.   To #28 Lebanese Admirer 13:17  |  Yossi 22/10/06
  36.   to Paulo 13:24  |  the pope 22/10/06
  37.   # 30 OLMERT + KADIMA IN and Certainly not Out 13:29  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  38.   What are you saying john in miami, enjoying the violence? 14:10  |  skylark 22/10/06
  39.   Reply to Yossi No. 35 14:18  |  Joanne 22/10/06
  40.   # 18 John @ Miami, Read the Defense Section 15:27  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  41.   Colin Wright 15:34  |  Cw 22/10/06
  42.   Yossi - 35 16:12  |  Lebanese admirer 22/10/06
  43.   There will be war 16:17  |  Jonathan S 22/10/06
  44.   Israel, hasn`t Olmert proven himself a liar, unfaithful? 16:20  |  robert 22/10/06
  45.   #2 Dutch 16:24  |  Yonatan 22/10/06
  46.   Tell me, Colin Wright, 16:33  |  Yonatan 22/10/06
  47.   GAZA IT`S SELF IS A BRUTAL ISLAMIC OCCUPATION, TO BE LIBIRATED 16:35  |  Like it is. 22/10/06
  48.   Vittorio # 1 The Gazans Are Running Out of Chances 16:43  |  Jeff Northridge 22/10/06
  49.   If the Egyptians want to make a real stand against the terrorists 16:54  |  Ronnie Wolman 22/10/06
  50.   GAZA IT`S SELF IS A BRUTAL ISLAMIC OCCUPATION, TO BE LIBIRATED 16:58  |  Law and Order 22/10/06
  51.   If you`ve only excavated Philadelphi Canal 17:08  |  Yonatan 22/10/06
  52.   IT`S OK FOR HAMAS TO GRANADE PROTESTORS 17:26  |  B 22/10/06
  53.   Answer to No. 43 Robert: YES! 17:30  |  Natan 22/10/06
  54.   # 43 robert 17:38  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  55.   we deserve it - let`s all get boats 17:38  |  sj 22/10/06
  56.   Rafah Crossing 17:42  |  Raul 22/10/06
  57.   philadelphia route 17:42  |  droma 22/10/06
  58.   # 44 Ronnie Wolman 17:52  |  Joseph E . 22/10/06
  59.   Raul is that how you see it? 17:58  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 22/10/06
  60.   to lebanese admirer 18:09  |  Marcelo 22/10/06
  61.   Retaking the corridor vs. current policy 18:13  |  Nathaniel 22/10/06
  62.   Mines + UN + Egyptians. 18:14  |  Nora 22/10/06
  63.   Thank you Haaretz 18:20  |  Chris 22/10/06
  64.   HAARETZ KEEP RAKING IN THE MONEY AND CLOSE EVERYBODY`S EYES 18:35  |  Abe 22/10/06
  65.   teaching paulo 18:41  |  paul 22/10/06
  66.   Ali Baba`s caves 18:45  |  Nora 22/10/06
  67.   Futile, need to seize a "new" Philadelphi route N. of Rafah 18:51  |  Dr. L. Brnd 22/10/06
  68.   A very simple choice 18:52  |  Tosefta 22/10/06
  69.   To Margie #59 18:58  |  Guido 22/10/06
  70.   Recommended Israeli Operations 19:35  |  Jim 22/10/06
  71.   to all pali supporters 20:03  |  Paul Freedman 22/10/06
  72.   # 31 Sorry, Paolo 20:15  |  Jim 22/10/06
  73.   Lies about tunnels 20:22  |  H50 22/10/06
  74.   Lebanese admirer 28 is wrong, Yossdi 35 also wrong 20:28  |  Judge Judy 22/10/06
  75.   Question for Dutch 20:30  |  Rope a Dope 22/10/06
  76.   # 43 Jonathan S. 20:45  |  Jim 22/10/06
  77.   Dr. Brnd 67 is wrong, Tosefta 68 is right 20:47  |  Judge Judy 22/10/06
  78.   Paul Freedman.I support Pals, Israeli,s Americans, etc etc 20:52  |  T A Sheppard 22/10/06
  79.   #64, Abe 20:58  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/10/06
  80.   Re to #51 Yonatan 21:00  |  Jim 22/10/06
  81.   Droma 57 is just wrong 21:03  |  Judge Judy 22/10/06
  82.   # 55 21:11  |  Jim 22/10/06
  83.   #77 Jim - Living in Tennessee 21:11  |  Yonatan 22/10/06
  84.