Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., May 16, 2008 Iyyar 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:07 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Israel seeks int'l support ahead of any major Gaza operation By Barak Ravid and Amos Harel Israel is examining the possible responses to the Grad rocket attack on Ashkelon yesterday. At this stage, it seems there will not be a broad response and the Israel Defense Forces will settle for pinpoint attacks on the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, a senior defense source emphasized yesterday that "Israel is on a collision course with Hamas in Gaza that is reaching its conclusion." Alongside the targeted Israeli responses the contacts over a temporary cease-fire in Gaza are expected to continue. Israel has not ruled out such an agreement; Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman is expected to return to Israel shortly to discuss the details of his initiative vis-a-vis Hamas in light of the new Israeli demand that the agreement include significant progress toward the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. Advertisement A senior government official in Jerusalem said yesterday that Israel is interested in reaching a situation where once it decides on a broad operation in Gaza, it will receive broad international support. "Any operation in Gaza will lead to the freezing of negotiations, and we want to make sure we will not be viewed as guilty [for the freeze]," the official said. The operation in Gaza, which will only come after U.S. President George Bush ends his visit to Israel, is likely to include an increased number of aerial strikes, including against Hamas targets, and more ground troops will be sent on limited operations in the area near the fence surrounding Gaza. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert updated Bush on the Egyptian talks. He also noted that while Suleiman was visiting Israel Qassam rockets continued to fall on innocent civilians in the South, and two people were killed. Olmert added that it was a dangerous signal for an organization which wants to be seen as interested in ending terror to continue to fire rockets at the innocent. Defense Minister Ehud Barak met yesterday with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and even invited her to visit Ashkelon and Sderot to view the situation from up close and to see how the people in the area live. Barak also spoke to Rice about the situation in the West Bank. He said Israel plans to further ease restrictions on the Palestinian population there shortly, particularly in the northern West Bank. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?

Read & React Barak: It won't be long before Israel stops rocket fire Responses: 123 Bush: We must be firm in face of those who murder innocents Responses: 116 Israel dismayed over allies' burgeoning trade with Iran Responses: 96 MI Chief: Rockets could reach Be'er Sheva within two years Responses: 72 Abbas: It's time to end the Nakba of the Palestinian people Responses: 95 More Headlines 22:54 Driver: I personally handed Olmert envelopes stuffed with cash 01:27 Israel: Bush means business on Iran nukes 02:39 ANALYSIS: Who wants to stop Iran? 02:57 ANALYSIS: Was Bush's Knesset speech a swipe at Obama? 22:16 Qassam rocket strikes Sderot synagogue; no one hurt 02:35 Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' 20:39 Philly Jewish paper accused of kowtowing to its funders 16:53 Israeli film at Cannes explores 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre 20:09 Bush to Knesset: U.S. stands with Israel, Masada will not fall again 16:45 Hezbollah declares crisis over after Lebanon gov't climb-down 18:19 Reuters demands explanation from Israel for death of cameramen 18:57 Obama says Bush politically attacked him in Knesset address Previous Editions Select Day 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may

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