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Last update - 08:39 03/03/2008
Barak, legal team to mull artillery use on civilian areas in Gaza
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Gaza, Ehud Barak 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak is considering the use of artillery against populated areas of the Gaza Strip from which Qassam and Katyusha rockets are fired at Israeli communities.

Barak will meet with other officials on Monday in order to examine the legal aspects of artillery and air attacks against populated areas of Gaza.

Among those participating in the meeting will be Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, Military Advocate General Avichai Mandelblit, the Defense Ministry's legal advisor and officials from the Foreign Ministry.
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"Artillery fire is another tool that will be used by the defense establishment to reduce the rocket fire against Israel," a security source predicted on Sunday. The source described this as "another step before embarking on a major operation" in Gaza.

Many ministers have openly expressed their support for the use of artillery against areas from which rockets are fired. Among them are Vice Premier Haim Ramon (Kadima), Shas Chairman Eli Yishai and Ami Ayalon (Labor).

During Sunday's cabinet meeting, Ramon asked why the Israel Defense Forces are not employing artillery against rocket launch sites.

"According to international law, this can be done," Ramon said. "During the Second Lebanon War, it was clear that if they shot at us from inside a village, we were allowed to shoot back, even if the area was populated."

In response, Barak asked Friedmann to explore the legal aspects of the issue. He has also asked the Defense Ministry's legal department to examine this idea, with particular emphasis on the legal angle.

The Defense Ministry's legal advisor will present his initial conclusions at Monday's meeting, and the other participants will be asked to comment.

The IDF has used artillery against Qassam launch areas in the northern Gaza Strip in the past.

However, the shelling caused many casualties among innocent civilians who were nearby at the time, which led Israel to declare a moratorium on this tactic.

Nevertheless, the security source said, "at the end of the day, those responsible are the ones firing the Qassams: If they shoot from a populated area, civilians are also liable to get hurt. Ultimately, our responsibility is to safeguard Israeli citizens."

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      1.   Israeli morality and ethics 09:10  |  Natallie Durson 03/03/08
      2.   let me guess what the reasoning will be 09:22  |  Leona 03/03/08
      3.   It`s about time 10:00  |  IW 03/03/08
      4.   Using artillery is good strategic move 10:02  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 03/03/08
      5.   illegal under int. law but it will not stop Israeli war crimes 10:04  |  anti-racist 03/03/08
      6.   Barak, legal team to mull artillery use on civilian areas in Gaza 10:05  |  Dementia Praecox 03/03/08
      7.   More info from the Geneva Conventions 10:11  |  anti-racist 03/03/08
      8.   What to do that`s legal. 10:14  |  manny.b 03/03/08
      9.   increase the number of choices 10:48  |  Bruno 03/03/08
      10.   Of course it`s legal 10:48  |  Nechama 03/03/08
      11.   We were right... 10:50  |  Barry 03/03/08
      12.   #1 nutullie and the use of illogic ! 10:54  |  v hardman 03/03/08
      13.   ethical inquiery leads to more criticism 11:07  |  Jerry 03/03/08
      14.   Israeli morality looks into the abyss. 11:41  |  Michael 03/03/08
      15.   illegal under int. law, find Geneva Conv articles on ICRC website 11:41  |  anti-racist 03/03/08
      16.   Don’t risk the live of one soldier! 11:49  |  Christian Zionist 03/03/08
      17.   Necessary Force? 11:55  |  John Isenhower 03/03/08
      18.   Go on 12:04  |  Zirbry 03/03/08
      19.   #2 Christianity is incompatible to beeing Zionist 12:10  |  Ben Sina 03/03/08
      20.   "artillery use on civilian areas" 12:15  |  anangryjew 03/03/08
      21.   And how,pray,do you intend to answer to Iran`s nuke attack? 12:25  |  Absolute Sweden 03/03/08
      22.   bombing the source of rockets 12:34  |  Theodor Hershcovici 03/03/08
      23.   And why not? 12:54  |  Colin Wright 03/03/08
      24.   #15 Colin Wright - Can`t agree more 13:16  |  Zirbry 03/03/08
      25.   Like the Warsaw Ghetto 13:39  |  Artur 03/03/08
      26.   Iran`s nuke attack like Iraqs nuke attack is a disturbing fantasy 13:56  |  anti-racist 03/03/08
      27.   Weapon of Choice: AC130 "Spooky" 13:58  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 03/03/08
      28.   Israel end the siege to Gaza and the occupation to the Westbank 14:00  |  Ben Sina 03/03/08
      29.   An Example of What AC130 "Spectre" / "Spooky" Does 14:13  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 03/03/08
      30.   Lawyers...anywhere else this would be laughable 14:18  |  r 03/03/08
      31.   Will useful idiots suddenly discover the ourtage they misplaced? 14:18  |  PETER SM 03/03/08
      32.   #8 Of course it isn`t.... 14:32  |  Johnboy 03/03/08
      33.   Barak, just what is the point of this? 14:41  |  Johnboy 03/03/08
      34.   #26 Dare I suggest, Ovram..... 14:47  |  Johnboy 03/03/08
      35.   So the Final Solution of Gazans is getting nearer 14:55  |  Ben Jason 03/03/08
      36.   Re the "Spooky" suggestion (#28) 15:07  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 03/03/08
      37.   Return fire to Pal building used to target Israeli civilians is ? 15:45  |  PETER SM 03/03/08
      38.   ofcourse,it is against international law and Geneva Conventions, 16:07  |  lakshmi 03/03/08
      39.   Collateral damage necessary to change militants` minds 16:11  |  Jason 03/03/08
      40.   yes. do it. pals should internalise the cost. 16:18  |  frenz 03/03/08
      41.   collateral damage 17:18  |  Z Parzen 03/03/08
      42.   and what is the legal backup for suicide bombing? 17:31  |  Norman 03/03/08
      43.   #34 lakshmi 17:38  |  Lanny 03/03/08
      44.   #24 ben sinner and the cockeyed view of the world 17:44  |  v hardman 03/03/08
      45.   #4 canada and anti racist dont see eye to eye 17:47  |  v hardman 03/03/08
      46.   #31 and its time these idiots were removed 17:49  |  v hardman 03/03/08
      47.   AC-130 GUNSHIP --- SPOOKY 18:06  |  BERNIE 03/03/08
      48.   don`t hurt civilians!! 18:15  |  YedLita 03/03/08
      49.   The Army that ruled by Idiots and Lawyers 18:21  |  Sal 03/03/08
      50.   lakshmi - Just shut up already you swine. 18:45  |  x 03/03/08
      51.   playing games? 18:47  |  Space 03/03/08
      52.   Doesn`t matter if it is legal or not. 19:24  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/03/08
      53.   #35 Jason 19:29  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/03/08
      54.   of course it is legal. 19:32  |  frenz 03/03/08
      55.   Iran`s Supreme Coward Misleader Is Due in Court 20:33  |  D. Boller 03/03/08
      56.   collective punishment 22:09  |  mehmet 03/03/08
      57.   Israeli morality 06:02  |  Y.A. 04/03/08
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