Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yom Tov Samiyeh says that the IDF knew as early as three years ago that the Arab forces in Yesha were in possession of hundreds of mortar shells. According to the former head of Southern Command and IDF commander in the Gaza Strip, the army conveyed the information to government officials, who chose to ignore it and opt instead for a continuation of the Oslo process. \"The error was in not arriving at the proper conclusions from Arafat\'s failure to live by the Gaza/Jericho agreements [at the outset of Oslo],\" he said. \"The IDF pointed out the PA\'s increasing acquisition of arms, but the government\'s answer always was: \'Let\'s move forward!\' Samiyeh recalled