The security cabinet convened for several hours today to discuss once again how to respond to the latest wave of Palestinian terrorism against the people of Israel. Afterwards, however, Prime Minister Sharon announced that no further decisions had been made, and that the forum would continue its discussions next week. He said that there were no restrictions on IDF activities in Area A [under full PA control], and that incursions to stop terrorists even in these areas would continue.
GSS Chief Avi Dichter reportedly recommended to his colleagues at the meeting that the IDF embark upon a new anti-terrorism military offensive and remain in the PLO-controlled territories until the implementation of a buffer zone plan between Judea/Samaria and pre-1967 Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz was rebuked by Sharon for calling for the expulsion of Yasser Arafat. Sharon said that Mofaz should not try to direct government affairs. The Chief of Staff also called for a new long-term military offensive. Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer (Labor) opposed both the expulsion and the long-term offensive.
National Religious Party ministers Levy and Eitam demanded a resumption of Operation Defensive Shield and the expulsion of Yasser Arafat. \"I am not satisfied with the level of our military activities of late,\" Rabbi Levy told Arutz-7 today, \"but now we just have to wait and see what will happen in the next day or two. We don\'t have to make any further decisions; the principle that we can act freely in Area A is already agreed - but we must do so much more strongly... There is no doubt that if the murderous terrorists had succeeded in their Pi Gelilot fuel depot attack, this meeting would have been very different. We have to look at it as if that attack had succeeded. Whether the Prime Minister agrees or not - this we will see in the coming days.\"
In Washington, too, U.S. President George Bush was to convene the National Security Council today to discuss the situation in the Middle East. In attendance will also be CIA head George Tenet, who is expected to arrive here next week.
In other war news, a soldier was lightly wounded by gunfire on the Israeli-Egyptian border this afternoon… The IDF continued apprehending terrorist suspects, including a would-be suicide terrorist (female) and six other suspects in Bethlehem, two Tanzim leaders in Kalkilye, and another terrorist near Silat el-Zaher, east of Netanya… Arab gunmen fired at several IDF posts north of Jerusalem last night; no one was hurt… IDF forces are tightly encircling Kalkilye.
Jerusalem, particularly the northern parts thereof, remains under a heightened terror alert. The intelligence community yesterday received word that an Arab driving a car laced with explosives had been dispatched towards the city and would be trying to enter from the north.
GSS Chief Avi Dichter reportedly recommended to his colleagues at the meeting that the IDF embark upon a new anti-terrorism military offensive and remain in the PLO-controlled territories until the implementation of a buffer zone plan between Judea/Samaria and pre-1967 Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz was rebuked by Sharon for calling for the expulsion of Yasser Arafat. Sharon said that Mofaz should not try to direct government affairs. The Chief of Staff also called for a new long-term military offensive. Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer (Labor) opposed both the expulsion and the long-term offensive.
National Religious Party ministers Levy and Eitam demanded a resumption of Operation Defensive Shield and the expulsion of Yasser Arafat. \"I am not satisfied with the level of our military activities of late,\" Rabbi Levy told Arutz-7 today, \"but now we just have to wait and see what will happen in the next day or two. We don\'t have to make any further decisions; the principle that we can act freely in Area A is already agreed - but we must do so much more strongly... There is no doubt that if the murderous terrorists had succeeded in their Pi Gelilot fuel depot attack, this meeting would have been very different. We have to look at it as if that attack had succeeded. Whether the Prime Minister agrees or not - this we will see in the coming days.\"
In Washington, too, U.S. President George Bush was to convene the National Security Council today to discuss the situation in the Middle East. In attendance will also be CIA head George Tenet, who is expected to arrive here next week.
In other war news, a soldier was lightly wounded by gunfire on the Israeli-Egyptian border this afternoon… The IDF continued apprehending terrorist suspects, including a would-be suicide terrorist (female) and six other suspects in Bethlehem, two Tanzim leaders in Kalkilye, and another terrorist near Silat el-Zaher, east of Netanya… Arab gunmen fired at several IDF posts north of Jerusalem last night; no one was hurt… IDF forces are tightly encircling Kalkilye.
Jerusalem, particularly the northern parts thereof, remains under a heightened terror alert. The intelligence community yesterday received word that an Arab driving a car laced with explosives had been dispatched towards the city and would be trying to enter from the north.