IDF opts for targeted killing over large-scale operation

The Israel Defense Forces is continuing preparations for beefing up operations in the northern West Bank following the suicide bombing in Netanya on Monday.

The IDF will continue its recent pinpointed operations against terrorist elements, based on intelligence information, sources said.

This activity, which has been ongoing for the past few months in Jenin and Tul Karm, will now be expanded to the surrounding villages. In addition, targeted killings of Islamic Jihad figures are also expected in the coming days.

"In the past, on the day after an attack the IDF would make a powerful move to show its strength," the sources said. "Today, the response the IDF chooses is measured, professional and not populist.

"Today we are, in any case, in the midst of a very intensive operation against the Islamic Jihad infrastructure in the northern West Bank, so the military response will be to increase the forces and the volume of activity against various targets."

Forces will also be working to locate and arrest additional wanted men and to uncover explosives laboratories and bombs.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones in a meeting yesterday that Israel would not conduct an extensive ground operation in the areas of the Palestinian Authority in response to the Netanya bombing.

He criticized Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for not doing what he called the minimum to fight terror. "All attempts to get Abu Mazen [Abbas] to act have failed," Shalom said.

He added that Israel had decided to do everything possible to solve the existing problems. "We will suffer no more Qassams or bombings," Shalom said.

Israel closed the crossings from the PA into Israel, including to Palestinian VIPs, in response to the bombing, and is looking into the legal ramifications of resuming house demolitions.

In his talks with Jones, Shalom also slammed Syria, saying instructions for attacks emanate from there.