Defense Minister Amir Peretz has not decided what to do about Gaza – other than talk. Neither has anyone else in the government, other than those who are directly involved with defending Israeli citizens against the Palestinian Authority terrorists firing the rockets.
Mr. Peretz told reporters Monday morning there is a possibility the IDF might have to stage a ground offensive in Gaza in order to reduce Kassam rocket attacks on southern Israel.
The defense minister emphasized, however, that any such action must be examined carefully in order to assess the fallout that might result. Mr. Peretz did not request authorization for a ground incursion into Gaza at the Sunday morning cabinet meeting, despite the fact that three rockets had been fired by the time the cabinet meeting had convened.
The moment we decide on harsh action, it will be a decisive action.
The IDF did advise just that at a meeting of the security cabinet later in the day, but the advice was ignored.
Nonetheless, the defense minister claimed in an interview with Channel 10 TV news Sunday evening that Israel’s response to the constant rocket fire on western Negev communities would be decisive.
“We need to act,” he declared. “We need to target the people who are causing the escalation. What we received today was more freedom to act.”
Mr. Peretz’s remarks came after a lukewarm approval by the security cabinet to broaden IDF operations in Gaza, without deciding on a specific plan.
Top officers from the General Security Service (Shin Bet), IDF and Foreign Ministry each offered their assessments of the situation in Gaza and recommendations for protection of the Israeli communities facing the border. The IDF bluntly advised the cabinet to allow a ground incursion to stem the constant rocket fire.
But after hearing four hours of presentations by the security establishment, the cabinet put off deciding on any specific action. Any so-called “broad” response to the rocket fire will still require prior authorization from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, or the defense minister.
This leaves open the possibility that Israel might continue its “hands off” policy which stops IDF troops from shooting terrorists unless they are caught in the act of launching the rockets or leaving the scene of a launch.
“The moment we decide on harsh action,” Defense Minister Peretz assured the viewers, “it will be a decisive action.”
Mr. Peretz told reporters Monday morning there is a possibility the IDF might have to stage a ground offensive in Gaza in order to reduce Kassam rocket attacks on southern Israel.
The defense minister emphasized, however, that any such action must be examined carefully in order to assess the fallout that might result. Mr. Peretz did not request authorization for a ground incursion into Gaza at the Sunday morning cabinet meeting, despite the fact that three rockets had been fired by the time the cabinet meeting had convened.
The moment we decide on harsh action, it will be a decisive action.
The IDF did advise just that at a meeting of the security cabinet later in the day, but the advice was ignored.
Nonetheless, the defense minister claimed in an interview with Channel 10 TV news Sunday evening that Israel’s response to the constant rocket fire on western Negev communities would be decisive.
“We need to act,” he declared. “We need to target the people who are causing the escalation. What we received today was more freedom to act.”
Mr. Peretz’s remarks came after a lukewarm approval by the security cabinet to broaden IDF operations in Gaza, without deciding on a specific plan.
Top officers from the General Security Service (Shin Bet), IDF and Foreign Ministry each offered their assessments of the situation in Gaza and recommendations for protection of the Israeli communities facing the border. The IDF bluntly advised the cabinet to allow a ground incursion to stem the constant rocket fire.
But after hearing four hours of presentations by the security establishment, the cabinet put off deciding on any specific action. Any so-called “broad” response to the rocket fire will still require prior authorization from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, or the defense minister.
This leaves open the possibility that Israel might continue its “hands off” policy which stops IDF troops from shooting terrorists unless they are caught in the act of launching the rockets or leaving the scene of a launch.
“The moment we decide on harsh action,” Defense Minister Peretz assured the viewers, “it will be a decisive action.”