Barak: IDF closer to large-scale ground op in Gaza - Haaretz

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Thu., September 06, 2007 Elul 23, 5767

Israel Time: 02:07 (EST+7)

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Barak: IDF closer to large-scale ground op in Gaza

By Amos Harel and Barak Ravid

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said yesterday that the Israel Defense Forces was moving closer to an extensive ground action in the Gaza Strip, "in order to halt the rocket fire and the strengthening [of militant organizations]", Barak told his senior staff and the heads of the military industries. The statement came a few hours after the security cabinet decided not to significantly alter the IDF's actions in the Gaza Strip.

The cabinet also decided to examine the legal implications of imposing sanctions on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip in response to Qassam fire, such as disrupting the supply of electricity.

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However, no troop buildup or other preparations are being made in the Southern Command for immediate action. Senior military sources told Haaretz that as long as the tension is high along the Syrian border, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi objects to large-scale action in Gaza because of the difficulty of operating on two fronts without massive drafting of the reserves. The sources said Israel's position might change if a large number of casualties resulted from the Qassam fire.

At the end of the cabinet meeting, Prime MInister Ehud Olmert said the IDF should "reduce the Qassam fire as much as possible," and should submit plans to the government on how this was to be accomplished.

"The cabinet has decided to continue intense military action against those involved in terror and launching of rockets, and none of those responsible for a partners to terror is immune to this action," the prime minister's bureau said.

Barak told the cabinet that lacking a defense system, he recommended pinpointed action: "The solution is offensive actions deep in the territory based on intelligence."

In discussing the possibility of sanctions against Gaza's civilian population, Minister without Portfolio Yitzhak Cohen (Shas) said the Palestinians should be shown that "there is a price tag for every rocket." Vice Premier Haim Ramon (Kadima) reiterated that electricity to Gaza should be interrupted after every rocket.

At the end of the meeting, Olmert asked the defense establishment, the Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry officials to prepare plans that would take into consideration the "military and civilian implications of stoping services provided to the Gaza Strip by Israel."

A statement following the meeting also said "the Israeli government views Hamas as responsible for the firing of the Qassams and the terror activity in the Gaza Strip. This murderous terror organization purports to lead daily life in Gaza while life in the communities around Gaza is insufferable."

The cabinet also decided to continue reinforcement work in Sderot with the installation tomorrow of 15 more mobile reinforced rooms in public areas in Sderot, in which people could take shelter in case of a rocket attack.

IDF troops from the Golani Brigade, the Armored Corps and the Engineering Corps ended a two-day sweep last night of the industrial zone of Beit Hanun over the past two days, in an attempt to locate Qassam launchers. Troops found 11 launchers yesterday.

At least three Qassams were fired yesterday from the Gaza, landing in open areas without causing injuries or damage. One rocket fell in the area of Zikim south of Ashkelon, and two more fell on the southern border of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, one paratrooper was moderately injured and two others slightly injured when an explosive device was set off near their vehicle in Nablus. Troops uncovered and destroyed an explosives lab in Nablus.

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