IDF ground operation in Gaza unlikely despite Zikkim attack <br><br> - Haaretz

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Last update - 06:59 12/09/2007

IDF ground operation in Gaza unlikely despite Zikkim attack

By Barak Ravid

It currently looks like the government will rule out a military ground incursion, despite the rocket attack on the Zikkim basic training base early Tuesday.

The eight-member group of senior cabinet ministers will meet Sunday to discuss possible Israeli actions to reduce the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Ministers will hear mainly proposals for increasing economic pressure on the Palestinian population. Ideas include preventing "dual use" equipment from reaching Gaza, such as water pipes that could be used to produce rockets, and cutting the electrical power, on the ground that Israeli electricity enables operation of Gazan lathe-shops that turn out Qassams.

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However, the legal validity of these proposals remains unclear as they entail "collective punishment" of the Palestinian populace.

At a security consultation Tuesday, the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister and army chief of staff were briefed on the rocket attack on the Zikim base, but no decisions were announced afterward.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at a meeting tuesday in Jerusalem with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that every rocket should carry a price: "We'll announce that every Qassam is an hour of blackout. That way, whoever launches the Qassam knows he's cutting the power. We can't keep going at a rate of 90 Qassams."

Olmert said at a meeting with Kouchner that "along with Israel's desire to attain peace, there is the need to defend its citizens against attacks, and Israel will continue its activity against terrorist organizations." Olmert stressed that Hamas cannot be a partner for peace talks since it espouses terror and targeting civilians.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Tuesday that Israel has options besides military ones for dealing with what is happening in Gaza, "but even if these do not stop the Qassam fire, we have a duty to take action to reduce the fire,"

Speaking at a news conference with her French counterpart, Livni added that regardless of which group was firing the rockets, "all of Gaza is in Hamas hands. They are capable of stopping the fire and they are not doing so."

The Qassam fire from Gaza was also the centerpiece of Kouchner's meetings with Vice Premier Haim Ramon and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ramon said that Israel will be forced to tackle Palestinian infrastructure. "A situation where Hamas fires rockets at the power station in Ashkelon, which supplies electricity to the Strip, is an absurdity that cannot be accepted," Ramon said.

Netanyahu called on the government to launch a ground operation "and capture the area from which Qassams are fired."

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1.	Cut off their supplies - don`t loose soldiers	03:32	\|	Avi	12/09/07

2.	Kassam chasers; recover and fire the rockets back	04:21	\|	peacemaker	12/09/07

3.	Huh?	04:56	\|	Aaron	12/09/07

4.	#3, Aaron...	05:59	\|	Silvienne	12/09/07

5.	The spirit of Lebanon 2 is alive and well	06:43	\|	Natallie Durson	12/09/07

6.	9/11 terrorist style thinking	07:00	\|	Pablo B	12/09/07

7.	UN Sactions are also collective punishment, so what?	07:15	\|	Doron Katz	12/09/07

8.	#4 Silvienne	07:41	\|	* BEN JABO	12/09/07

9.	israel needs a new govt	08:13	\|	vik	12/09/07

10.	#6 Doron Katz - stop thinking like the terrorists	08:24	\|	Pablo B	12/09/07

11.	Israel proves her HUMANITY towards radical Terrorists	08:58	\|	Dagma	12/09/07

12.	There is something about a helpless target which draws vultures	09:06	\|	Natallie Durson	12/09/07

13.	Attacks and petty justifications	09:14	\|	Pablo B	12/09/07

14.	This is a joke	09:18	\|	Ron	12/09/07

15.	Collective punishment	09:43	\|	Mike	12/09/07

16.	Wait until after Yom Kippur	09:58	\|	* BEN JABO	12/09/07

17.	Gaza	10:24	\|	Naim S. Mahlab	12/09/07

18.	To Naim S. Mahlab	13:28	\|	Dagma	12/09/07

19.	To Natallie Durson # 5 - The spirit of Lebanon 2 is Dead	13:46	\|	Dagma	12/09/07

20.	#8 Ben Jabo...	17:38	\|	Silvienne	12/09/07

21.	Silvienne - Let me tell you about herring & wine	18:32	\|	* BEN JABO	12/09/07

22.	#15, Mike	05:10	\|	Silvienne	13/09/07

23.	#21, Ben Jabo...	05:17	\|	Silvienne	13/09/07

24.	#21-2 Silvienne - I remembered the name	05:56	\|	* BEN JABO	13/09/07

25.	#24, Ben Jabo...	07:41	\|	Silvienne	13/09/07

26.	Silvienne	19:03	\|	* BEN JABO	13/09/07

27.	Silvienne	19:10	\|	* BEN JABO	13/09/07

28.	Ben Jabo, but here`s the thing...	05:27	\|	Silvienne	14/09/07

29.	#28 Silvienne	18:45	\|	* BEN JABO	14/09/07

30.	#29, Ben Jabo...	19:39	\|	Silvienne	14/09/07

31.	#29 Silvienne	21:56	\|	* BEN JABO	14/09/07

32.	#31, Ben, do you realise something?	02:28	\|	Silvienne	15/09/07

33.	#31 Silvienne	03:56	\|	* BEN JABO	15/09/07

34.	#33, Ben Jabo...	05:44	\|	Silvienne	15/09/07

35.	#34 Silvienne-- What about the maps???	13:00	\|	* BEN JABO	15/09/07

36.	Ben Jabo..never mind the maps, what about my question??	05:31	\|	Silvienne	16/09/07

37.	#36 Silvienne	18:08	\|	* BEN JABO	16/09/07

38.	Ben Jabo...I read the Timelines...	03:31	\|	Silvienne	17/09/07

39.	#30 Silvienne - you need the maps	18:26	\|	* BEN JABO	17/09/07

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