Once again, determination and a willingness to die for a cause has left the IDF without an immediate solution as PA residents step-up their defiance against Israel.
A planned aerial assault against a northern Gaza building was called off during the night when hundreds of PA residents gathered in the home, acting as human shields, willing to die rather than permit the IDF to continue targeting terrorist objectives in PA (Palestinian Authority) controlled Gaza.
As is the usual practice, the IDF notified residents of the structure about 30 minutes ahead of the attack to evacuate the premises. This is done to prevent casualties among civilians. When the word of the impending aerial assault spread, hundreds of area residents arrived at the home, signaling a willingness to die rather than to permit Israel to destroy another home.
IDF officials confirm the report, stating the air strike was indeed called off because Israel does not wish to strike innocent PA civilians.
Targeted was the home of Popular Resistance Front commander Mohammad al-Baroud, who resides in Beit Lahiya.
The villagers chanted anti-American and Israeli slogans as they indicated they are willing to die rather than surrender to Israel.
With the continued escalation in Kassam rocket attacks from northern Gaza, Israel continues to contemplate another military incursion into northern Gaza but senior officials remain divided, realizing a full-scale military operation would meet formidable resistance, as was the case in southern Lebanon this summer. Israel does not wish to enter into another war as the nation continues investigating the failures of the war in Lebanon in July.
Residents of Sderot and western Negev communities continue to call on the national government to take necessary action, insisting the current situation should no longer be tolerated. Education Ministry officials are weighing a busing option, to transport school children to areas out of rocket range since many area schools have yet to be fortified to withstand rocket attacks.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz continues to release stern statements, warning Israel will do whatever necessary to bring about a sharp reduction in rocket attacks into civilian population centers. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week telephoned Peretz from Los Angeles, ordering a stepped-up military response to rockets. His call was prompted by a day in which a Sderot resident was killed in an attack and a bodyguard assigned to Peretz’s Sderot home was critically injured, leading to the amputation of both his legs below the knee. A teen was also serious injured, sustaining significant injuries to his internal organs, the result of shrapnel from Kassam rockets.
Despite the statements, a number of senior government officials, including Vice Premier Shimon Peres remain opposed to a major ground forces operation, fearing the IDF will become entangled in Gaza once again, preferring diplomatic options over a widespread military operation.
On Sunday morning, during the weekly cabinet meeting, government ministers will be briefed on realities in Gaza and they will discuss various options towards ending rocket attacks.
A planned aerial assault against a northern Gaza building was called off during the night when hundreds of PA residents gathered in the home, acting as human shields, willing to die rather than permit the IDF to continue targeting terrorist objectives in PA (Palestinian Authority) controlled Gaza.
As is the usual practice, the IDF notified residents of the structure about 30 minutes ahead of the attack to evacuate the premises. This is done to prevent casualties among civilians. When the word of the impending aerial assault spread, hundreds of area residents arrived at the home, signaling a willingness to die rather than to permit Israel to destroy another home.
IDF officials confirm the report, stating the air strike was indeed called off because Israel does not wish to strike innocent PA civilians.
Targeted was the home of Popular Resistance Front commander Mohammad al-Baroud, who resides in Beit Lahiya.
The villagers chanted anti-American and Israeli slogans as they indicated they are willing to die rather than surrender to Israel.
With the continued escalation in Kassam rocket attacks from northern Gaza, Israel continues to contemplate another military incursion into northern Gaza but senior officials remain divided, realizing a full-scale military operation would meet formidable resistance, as was the case in southern Lebanon this summer. Israel does not wish to enter into another war as the nation continues investigating the failures of the war in Lebanon in July.
Residents of Sderot and western Negev communities continue to call on the national government to take necessary action, insisting the current situation should no longer be tolerated. Education Ministry officials are weighing a busing option, to transport school children to areas out of rocket range since many area schools have yet to be fortified to withstand rocket attacks.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz continues to release stern statements, warning Israel will do whatever necessary to bring about a sharp reduction in rocket attacks into civilian population centers. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week telephoned Peretz from Los Angeles, ordering a stepped-up military response to rockets. His call was prompted by a day in which a Sderot resident was killed in an attack and a bodyguard assigned to Peretz’s Sderot home was critically injured, leading to the amputation of both his legs below the knee. A teen was also serious injured, sustaining significant injuries to his internal organs, the result of shrapnel from Kassam rockets.
Despite the statements, a number of senior government officials, including Vice Premier Shimon Peres remain opposed to a major ground forces operation, fearing the IDF will become entangled in Gaza once again, preferring diplomatic options over a widespread military operation.
On Sunday morning, during the weekly cabinet meeting, government ministers will be briefed on realities in Gaza and they will discuss various options towards ending rocket attacks.