Defense Minister Amir Peretz met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh Sunday night to review the findings of an investigation into Thursday’s IDF attempted arrest of a wanted terrorist in Ramallah.
The terrorist was wounded, but succeeded in escaping. In the course of the mission, IDF troops encountered massive return fire and called in back-up forces. In the ensuing exchange of fire, four Ramallah Arabs were killed and some 20 were injured, including journalists. Four IDF soldiers were lightly wounded.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz (Labor) and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzachi HaNegbi (Kadima) both criticized the IDF for launching the counter-terror operation just hours before delicate talks between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were scheduled to begin.
IDF leaders were slammed for not consulting the politicians before allowing the operation to go ahead on a day when Olmert was scheduled to meet with Mubarak - even though such operations are nearly a daily affair.
The new protocols will include the mandate that “diplomatically sensitive” operations require the specific approval of the Chief of Staff or his deputy – who will decide whether the operation requires approval from the Defense Minister as well.
The terrorist was wounded, but succeeded in escaping. In the course of the mission, IDF troops encountered massive return fire and called in back-up forces. In the ensuing exchange of fire, four Ramallah Arabs were killed and some 20 were injured, including journalists. Four IDF soldiers were lightly wounded.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz (Labor) and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzachi HaNegbi (Kadima) both criticized the IDF for launching the counter-terror operation just hours before delicate talks between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were scheduled to begin.
IDF leaders were slammed for not consulting the politicians before allowing the operation to go ahead on a day when Olmert was scheduled to meet with Mubarak - even though such operations are nearly a daily affair.
The new protocols will include the mandate that “diplomatically sensitive” operations require the specific approval of the Chief of Staff or his deputy – who will decide whether the operation requires approval from the Defense Minister as well.