IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday that 40% of the Israelis killed in the present mini-war were the victims of Palestinian security officers. Arafat\'s personal guard unit, Force 17, leads all other organizations in attacks against Israeli targets, Mofaz said. The involvement of the official PA security apparatus in attacks against Israel is even greater than what can be disclosed to the public at this time, he said.
Ha\'aretz reported that Mofaz believes that the only way to defend against Palestinian bomb attacks is to lay siege to the Palestinian cities and towns. \"In areas where there is no specific information of a pending bomb attack,\" Mofaz said, \"the siege is lifted. In principle, I oppose the siege tactic because it harms innocent civilians and it is against my world view. But if we compare the two evils - a bombing or a siege - the preference falls on the side of the siege.\" Mofaz reported to the committee that the Palestinians have set up a small military industry in the Gaza Strip, which produces mortars and grenades.
Ha\'aretz reported that Mofaz believes that the only way to defend against Palestinian bomb attacks is to lay siege to the Palestinian cities and towns. \"In areas where there is no specific information of a pending bomb attack,\" Mofaz said, \"the siege is lifted. In principle, I oppose the siege tactic because it harms innocent civilians and it is against my world view. But if we compare the two evils - a bombing or a siege - the preference falls on the side of the siege.\" Mofaz reported to the committee that the Palestinians have set up a small military industry in the Gaza Strip, which produces mortars and grenades.