Knesset Member Yuval Shteinitz (Likud) claimed that Defense Minister Amir Peretz admitted that the recent war in Lebanon has strengthened the Hizbullah terrorist organization. Furthermore, Peretz reported that weapons and money continue to pour into Lebanon from Iran, earmarked for the Hizbullah.
Peretz made these admissions publicly for the first time, according to MK Shteinitz, during a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.
Knesset Members asked Peretz about reports - and even photographs - of Hizbullah supporters approaching the border fence between Israel and Lebanon, where possible, and throwing rocks at IDF soldiers with impunity. He said only that there are no armed Hizbullah terrorists on the border.
Israel sees the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations in Lebanon as "not yet completed," Peretz said. The agreement calls for a withdrawal of Israeli troops, a deployment of UN peacekeepers and, ultimately, a deployment of Lebanese army forces in southern Lebanon. Until the fulfillment of the ceasefire terms, Peretz added, Israeli jets will continue to fly in Lebanese airspace.
"Until rules governing eventualities that could occur along the border are formulated, such as rules of engagement, we will not leave southern Lebanon," Peretz said. "There is continuing dialogue concerning what is permitted and what is forbidden. We want to establish new rules for the Blue Line."
The "Blue Line" refers to the international border recognized by the United Nations between Lebanon and Israel.
Nonetheless, the defense minister told the parliamentary committee that he hopes all Israeli troops would be withdrawn from Lebanon by the end of this week.
Palestinian Authority Terrorism Continues
On the Palestinian Authority front, Defense Minister Peretz informed the committee that ten suicide bombings were thwarted in the last several weeks. The source of the attempted bombings was PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria. He added that there are still warnings of more planned bombings by PA terrorists.
"We have reached the upper limit of operations in Gaza," Peretz said. "The operations reach every source of threat." He said that the IDF is responding harshly to the ongoing rocket fire by PA terrorists, without "looking for each Kassam's shipping invoice." On Tuesday, one of three Kassam rockets fired at Sderot injured a female soldier.
MK Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) said Tuesday she felt Israel could be doing more to secure the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit is being held by elements from the Hamas terrorist organization, currently the governing body in the PA. Tartman suggested that Israel destroy PA infrastructure and "cut off all oxygen so that they cry 'Mercy.' Why should they have electricity if Shalit has not been returned? Where is our strength? Where is our logic?" she asked.
Syria: "Costly Concessions" Still to Come
Regarding Israel's relationship with Syria and its leader Bashar Al-Assad, Defense Minister Peretz told the Knesset committee, "Ultimately, there will be a diplomatic solution, with costly concessions, and we must not shut the door on any dialogue with Syria."
In contrast, MK Silvan Shalom (Likud) said that Israel must take seriously Syrian President Assad's declarations intimating a threat of war against Israel.
"Before the Yom Kippur War, as well, declarations of this kind were made, which were not taken seriously," said Shalom. "We must [pay attention] to everything so as to not be taken by surprise. I have asked the defense minister to give priority to evaluating our preparedness against the Syrian threat."
Shalom added his own analysis: "Assad, who grew up with a certain narrative about the defensive response of Israel, is likely to go to war and we must be prepared."
Reservists to Undergo Operational Training
Towards the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Peretz detailed the plans and changes underway in the military. "We are beginning a program to upgrade the reservist and standing army emergency supply warehouses," the defense minister said. "We are completing the plan of action. Already this year, the plan is going into effect."
Peretz further explained that during 2007 and 2008, every reserve soldier will undergo operational training, according to as-yet undetermined parameters. To that end, Peretz said, 76% of the reservists will be called up over the course of the coming two years.
Peretz made these admissions publicly for the first time, according to MK Shteinitz, during a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.
Knesset Members asked Peretz about reports - and even photographs - of Hizbullah supporters approaching the border fence between Israel and Lebanon, where possible, and throwing rocks at IDF soldiers with impunity. He said only that there are no armed Hizbullah terrorists on the border.
Israel sees the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations in Lebanon as "not yet completed," Peretz said. The agreement calls for a withdrawal of Israeli troops, a deployment of UN peacekeepers and, ultimately, a deployment of Lebanese army forces in southern Lebanon. Until the fulfillment of the ceasefire terms, Peretz added, Israeli jets will continue to fly in Lebanese airspace.
"Until rules governing eventualities that could occur along the border are formulated, such as rules of engagement, we will not leave southern Lebanon," Peretz said. "There is continuing dialogue concerning what is permitted and what is forbidden. We want to establish new rules for the Blue Line."
The "Blue Line" refers to the international border recognized by the United Nations between Lebanon and Israel.
Nonetheless, the defense minister told the parliamentary committee that he hopes all Israeli troops would be withdrawn from Lebanon by the end of this week.
Palestinian Authority Terrorism Continues
On the Palestinian Authority front, Defense Minister Peretz informed the committee that ten suicide bombings were thwarted in the last several weeks. The source of the attempted bombings was PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria. He added that there are still warnings of more planned bombings by PA terrorists.
"We have reached the upper limit of operations in Gaza," Peretz said. "The operations reach every source of threat." He said that the IDF is responding harshly to the ongoing rocket fire by PA terrorists, without "looking for each Kassam's shipping invoice." On Tuesday, one of three Kassam rockets fired at Sderot injured a female soldier.
MK Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) said Tuesday she felt Israel could be doing more to secure the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit is being held by elements from the Hamas terrorist organization, currently the governing body in the PA. Tartman suggested that Israel destroy PA infrastructure and "cut off all oxygen so that they cry 'Mercy.' Why should they have electricity if Shalit has not been returned? Where is our strength? Where is our logic?" she asked.
Syria: "Costly Concessions" Still to Come
Regarding Israel's relationship with Syria and its leader Bashar Al-Assad, Defense Minister Peretz told the Knesset committee, "Ultimately, there will be a diplomatic solution, with costly concessions, and we must not shut the door on any dialogue with Syria."
In contrast, MK Silvan Shalom (Likud) said that Israel must take seriously Syrian President Assad's declarations intimating a threat of war against Israel.
"Before the Yom Kippur War, as well, declarations of this kind were made, which were not taken seriously," said Shalom. "We must [pay attention] to everything so as to not be taken by surprise. I have asked the defense minister to give priority to evaluating our preparedness against the Syrian threat."
Shalom added his own analysis: "Assad, who grew up with a certain narrative about the defensive response of Israel, is likely to go to war and we must be prepared."
Reservists to Undergo Operational Training
Towards the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Peretz detailed the plans and changes underway in the military. "We are beginning a program to upgrade the reservist and standing army emergency supply warehouses," the defense minister said. "We are completing the plan of action. Already this year, the plan is going into effect."
Peretz further explained that during 2007 and 2008, every reserve soldier will undergo operational training, according to as-yet undetermined parameters. To that end, Peretz said, 76% of the reservists will be called up over the course of the coming two years.