Ra\'anan Gissin, a chief spokesman for the Prime Minister\'s Office, says that the decision to withdraw was not made under American pressure, and was in fact made yesterday afternoon, well before the State Department issued its harsh criticism of the Israeli attack. Gissin said that Naveh mis-spoke when he said that the army might remain in Gaza for an extended period.
However, Arutz-7 has learned that Prime Minister Sharon himself was heard saying yesterday morning that the IDF would remain in Gaza for at least a number of weeks. In addition, Southern Command officers maintain that the withdrawal decision was made only yesterday evening. They told Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman that at yesterday afternoon\'s Security Cabinet meeting about future steps to be taken in Biet Hanoun, the word \"withdrawal\" was not even mentioned. Representatives of Ben-Eliezer deny this. Naveh warned IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz that if the army leaves the places it took over, the Palestinian mortar fire will resume; see next story.
However, Arutz-7 has learned that Prime Minister Sharon himself was heard saying yesterday morning that the IDF would remain in Gaza for at least a number of weeks. In addition, Southern Command officers maintain that the withdrawal decision was made only yesterday evening. They told Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman that at yesterday afternoon\'s Security Cabinet meeting about future steps to be taken in Biet Hanoun, the word \"withdrawal\" was not even mentioned. Representatives of Ben-Eliezer deny this. Naveh warned IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz that if the army leaves the places it took over, the Palestinian mortar fire will resume; see next story.