The security cabinet, meeting today after the worst Arab attack since the current wave of terrorism began and one of the worst attacks Israel has known since the beginning of the Oslo War, approved a new approach to Israel\'s policy towards the Palestinian Authority. The basic strategy of not demolishing it will not be changed, but Israel\'s military offensives against it will be more powerful and frequent. Prime Minister Sharon announced that he would meet with army officials every day to supervise the new policy.
Sharon said this afternoon that he would \"react against the Palestinian terrorism without dragging Israel into war.\" It is likely that he will deliver a speech to the nation tomorrow.
In fact, the Israel Defense Forces retaliated by air, land, and sea last night and this morning, striking PA targets in Ramallah, Shechem, and Gaza. Some of the targets hit include PA checkpoints in various areas, a Khan Yunis security facility, the Ansar-2 naval base and a PA Coast Guard ship, a Gaza City security facility, and a PA building in Ramallah. Ground forces moved into a PA-controlled village in the Shomron near Ariel. Two Hamas terrorists were arrested in that area, together with five Arabs found with weapons, and 13 suspects in other areas. Six rockets were launched towards Arafat\'s offices in Ramallah. Reports of the number of Arabs killed in the raids range from 13 to 16.
The IDF also cut off all Arab traffic, except in humanitarian cases, between various PA-controlled cities, including Ramallah, Kalkilye, Shechem, Jenin, Tul Karem, and Arab villages in those areas.
Palestinian terrorists continued their attacks today. Two members of a four-man terrorist cell that attempted to fire mortars into pre-1967 Israel near Kisufim this afternoon were liquidated by army forces. A tank and a helicopter were involved in the successful operation. Terrorists fired at an Israeli car near Tapuach and mortar shells at two Gush Katif communities. No one was hurt, but one shell landed inside a house and caused much damage... Arabs also fired at IDF troops west of Hevron; no one was hurt, and the soldiers returned fire... Terrorists firebombed a passenger bus traveling in northern Shomron between Chomesh and Sa-Nur this morning; no one was hurt... Fire was also directed at an IDF outpost in nearby Ganei Tal; no one was hurt, and the soldiers returned fire.
Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti of Ramallah, referring to the killers who carried out last night\'s massacre, are \'blessed\" for their actions, and that more attacks of this nature could be expected.
Sharon said this afternoon that he would \"react against the Palestinian terrorism without dragging Israel into war.\" It is likely that he will deliver a speech to the nation tomorrow.
In fact, the Israel Defense Forces retaliated by air, land, and sea last night and this morning, striking PA targets in Ramallah, Shechem, and Gaza. Some of the targets hit include PA checkpoints in various areas, a Khan Yunis security facility, the Ansar-2 naval base and a PA Coast Guard ship, a Gaza City security facility, and a PA building in Ramallah. Ground forces moved into a PA-controlled village in the Shomron near Ariel. Two Hamas terrorists were arrested in that area, together with five Arabs found with weapons, and 13 suspects in other areas. Six rockets were launched towards Arafat\'s offices in Ramallah. Reports of the number of Arabs killed in the raids range from 13 to 16.
The IDF also cut off all Arab traffic, except in humanitarian cases, between various PA-controlled cities, including Ramallah, Kalkilye, Shechem, Jenin, Tul Karem, and Arab villages in those areas.
Palestinian terrorists continued their attacks today. Two members of a four-man terrorist cell that attempted to fire mortars into pre-1967 Israel near Kisufim this afternoon were liquidated by army forces. A tank and a helicopter were involved in the successful operation. Terrorists fired at an Israeli car near Tapuach and mortar shells at two Gush Katif communities. No one was hurt, but one shell landed inside a house and caused much damage... Arabs also fired at IDF troops west of Hevron; no one was hurt, and the soldiers returned fire... Terrorists firebombed a passenger bus traveling in northern Shomron between Chomesh and Sa-Nur this morning; no one was hurt... Fire was also directed at an IDF outpost in nearby Ganei Tal; no one was hurt, and the soldiers returned fire.
Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti of Ramallah, referring to the killers who carried out last night\'s massacre, are \'blessed\" for their actions, and that more attacks of this nature could be expected.