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Vice Premier Haim Ramon (Tess Scheflan / Jini) Last update - 00:18 02/03/2008 Vice Premier: Reoccupying Gaza will hurt Israel more than help it By Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: IDF, rockets, Israel, Gaza Israel is determined to do all it can to halt rocket fire from Gaza but does not plan to retake the coastal territory from which it withdrew troops in 2005, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's deputy said on Saturday. "We need to act with all our might, but without taking steps that will hurt us more than help us - by which I mean reoccupying Gaza," Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Channel 2 television. He said the offensive would target those involved in firing rockets and more generally the Islamist leadership: "We need to target everyone who is directly or indirectly involved in the rocket fire. To target ... Gaza's governing infrastructure." Advertisement Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers and at least 61 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an ongoing IDF ground incursion near the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabaliya, as nearly 50 rockets struck southern Israel over the course of the day. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority on Saturday suspended peace negotiations with Israel over the incursion, after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni vowed that the operation would continue despite the Palestinian threats to halt talks. Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday reiterated comments he made the day before, blamed Hamas for the escalating violence in the south, and said the Islamic movement would bear the consequences of it. "We are not happy about civilians being hurt in Gaza," Barak said in a statementon Saturday. "Hamas and those who fire rockets at Israel are responsible and they will pay the price." During a visit to Ashkelon on Friday, the defense minister said: "Hamas is directly responsible for the current situation and will be the one to bear the cost of our response," adding: "An Israeli response is necessary and will be carried out." Barak called a late-night meeting of security commanders to discuss the situation, his office said in a statement on Saturday. Related articles: 5 hurt in Ashkelon as close to 50 rockets hit southern Israel 2 IDF soldiers, 61 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes PA suspends peace talks with Israel over Gaza violence Barak: Hamas will pay for its escalation in the south Bookmark to del.icio.us   Born to bear arms Many children of expatriates return to Israel to serve in the IDF Doctored death? An Independent expert says IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura.   1.   This begs a question 22:14  |  Colin Wright 01/03/08   2.   reoccupy gaza 22:27  |  Michael 01/03/08   3.   ramon on gaza 22:27  |  geroge 01/03/08   4.   #1, Collin, Arabs committing WAR crimes against Israel from Gaza 22:51  |  David 01/03/08   5.   Can Israel afford to occupy Gaza? 22:56  |  potobac 01/03/08   6.   What other alternative is there? 23:02  |  Mark Lincoln 01/03/08   7.   More deaths in the long run 23:08  |  Gilad 01/03/08   8.   the civilians are paying the price 00:25  |  JJ 02/03/08   9.   Israel Invasion of Gaza - then Intl Force 00:56  |  Reid 02/03/08   10.   really hard to understand, isn`t it ? 01:13  |  whizbang 02/03/08   11.   #6 Reid, you make a simple mistake 01:42  |  Johnboy 02/03/08   12.   reoccupy Gaza Ramon is to blame 01:43  |  Jack Rubin 02/03/08   13.   Israel´s sovereignty is being violated, it is her duty to defend 02:22  |  AliciaYasmeen 02/03/08   14.   #1 & #13 02:38  |  US PAL 02/03/08   15.   #14 US-Pal: "why"? 03:23  |  AliciaYasmeen 02/03/08   16.   Reoccupying Gaza 04:27  |  Gerris 02/03/08   17.   Hamas 04:30  |  Gerris 02/03/08   18.   #14...why? why not? 04:55  |  Dawn 02/03/08   19.   Reid - get real 05:03  |  Mark Lincoln 02/03/08   20.   To Reid (#9) 05:41  |  Morris Valentine 02/03/08   21.   #11 Johnboy - your mistake is compounded 03:21  |  * BEN JABO 03/03/08

Today Online U.S. calls for end to violence, return to peace talks Responses: 458 10 Gazans killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing IDF operation Responses: 245 Barak: IDF has no choice but to continue Gaza offensive Responses: 178 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 159 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 100 Rosner's Domain Battle of Ohio: Will Tzipi meet Hillary? No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 03:28 IDF chief recommends keeping pressure on Hamas 02:20 PM to tell Rice: Israel reserves right to act freely in Gaza 02:39 10 Palestinians killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing Gaza offensive 02:18 Gov't, IDF: Hamas wants lull in Gaza but only on its own terms 23:26 Hebron teen dies, 4 Israelis hurt as violence spreads to W. Bank 22:47 Barak to hold meeting on legality of striking civilian areas in Gaza 00:40 Long-silenced Iranian Jews find their political voice in America 22:07 Iran leader calls on Muslims to hit Israel 'in face' over Gaza op 22:03 U.S. calls for end to continued violence, return to peace talks 00:50 Israeli airlines worry that Gaza war will ruin Pesach travel 01:30 Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Pray for soldiers' well-being in synagogue 20:49 Police halt Israeli Arab rally against Gaza op, arrest 2 at T.A. protest 22:32 Israel buys supply of pills to protect against nuclear radiation 23:05 Medvedev secures lead in Russian vote, vows to pursue Putin goals Previous Editions Select Day 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb

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