The IDF anti-terrorism offensive in the PA-controlled areas continues, and an expanded security mini-Cabinet will convene at 8 PM this evening to decide if and when it should end. Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer - the three ministers who generally compose the forum - will be joined tonight by Ministers Lieberman, Yeshai, and Silvan Shalom.
Peres, who returned to Israel from Washington this morning, said at Ben-Gurion International Airport, \"Israel should not take lightly the serious American request that we leave these areas. The U.S. feels that it responds to our requests, and we must therefore do the same.\" Peres then qualified his impression, saying, \"The moment the situation calms down, and the Palestinians carry out what they are supposed to, this will enable us to leave.\" Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer appears to be strongly against a withdrawal at this time, saying the army must not leave until it is guaranteed that the attacks will not resume on both sides of the Green Line. \"We can\'t leave Tul Karem, and then have [the terrorism] start all over again the next day,\" he said. \"We can\'t go every morning to a cemetery and say, \'We\'re sorry.\' We must fight it!\"
The IDF top brass is also against a withdrawal at this time. Senior officers note that since the beginning of the offensive about five days ago, the number of shooting incidents on the roads of Judea and Samaria has dropped significantly, and that it will most certainly rise if the army leaves the areas. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau is also against a withdrawal.
Peres, who returned to Israel from Washington this morning, said at Ben-Gurion International Airport, \"Israel should not take lightly the serious American request that we leave these areas. The U.S. feels that it responds to our requests, and we must therefore do the same.\" Peres then qualified his impression, saying, \"The moment the situation calms down, and the Palestinians carry out what they are supposed to, this will enable us to leave.\" Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer appears to be strongly against a withdrawal at this time, saying the army must not leave until it is guaranteed that the attacks will not resume on both sides of the Green Line. \"We can\'t leave Tul Karem, and then have [the terrorism] start all over again the next day,\" he said. \"We can\'t go every morning to a cemetery and say, \'We\'re sorry.\' We must fight it!\"
The IDF top brass is also against a withdrawal at this time. Senior officers note that since the beginning of the offensive about five days ago, the number of shooting incidents on the roads of Judea and Samaria has dropped significantly, and that it will most certainly rise if the army leaves the areas. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau is also against a withdrawal.