Israel Radio correspondent Shmuel Tal reported Sunday that the Security Cabinet decided to instruct the IDF not to take action to stop terrorists identified as about to launch rockets towards Israel - nor must they hit them immediately afterward.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter both argued that Israel is obligated to protect its citizens from rocket fire. They were overruled, however, by Olmert and Livni, who asserted that there are “other considerations.”
Army Radio reported that Olmert estimated that the ceasefire would end of its own accord within a few days, when rival PA factions begin warring with each other.
Peretz told the Cabinet that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza is being observed only “in part,” and said it was critical that Egypt act to intercept arms before they were transferred to Gaza through the Rafiah tunnel system. He also disclosed that IDF officials have been attending meetings with the Hamas officials running the Palestinian Authority militia. Peretz also urged those present to allow the IDF to fire at those preparing to launch rockets. "The safety of the citizens of Israel must not be gambled with,” Peretz said. “We must act against rocket launching cells.”
Olmert and Livni struck down the idea, though. “We must act responsibly and wisely, while considering all aspects of the issue,” Olmert said.
“The situation is sensitive and we must act with wisdom and serious consideration," Foreign Minister Livni echoed.
The Cabinet decision came just over an hour after a fifteenth rocket since the declaration of the cease-fire was fired toward Jewish towns in the western Negev.
Islamic Jihad Promises Attack “In the Coming Hours”
The Islamic Jihad terror group threatened to attack Israel "in the coming hours" Sunday evening. It made the threat, the spokesman said, due to Israel's “70 violations of the cease-fire.” Islamic Jihad and other terrorists groups have charged that Israel's counter-terrorist actions in Judea and Samaria are in a violation of the ceasefire, although the agreement was restricted to the Gaza region.
"Calm is on the cusp of collapse due to the continued Zionist violations and attacks against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza," Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed said in a recorded statement. "Nobody should blame us for any reaction our brigades will take in the coming hours in response to the violations by the Zionist occupation."
Security Cabinet Calls for Yet Another Withdrawal
The Security Cabinet ordered the withdrawal of IDF forces from the town of Rajar – which straddles the Israeli-Lebanese border and has been a center of arms and drug smuggling as well as terrorist infiltrations.
Thus, Israeli Druze of Rajar will find themselves under the authority of the United Nations forces that are being entrusted to patrol the area.