Israel retaliated strongly against the Palestinian Authority on Friday evening and yesterday, using F-16 jets to strike PLO and Force-17 installations in Shechem, Ramallah, Gaza, and Tul Karem. Eleven or twelve PA agents were killed in the attacks. The attacked targets included the prison and security headquarters in Shechem, Force-17 buildings in Ramallah and elsewhere, the naval commando base in Gaza, General Intelligence headquarters in Jenin, and more. The home of the suicide terrorist bomber, the site of a mourners\' tent and many visitors, was not razed, nor was his family expelled. PLO officials are claiming that Israel wants to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, but Israeli officials denied that this is the intention.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan said that Israel\'s response to the murder of five Israelis was excessive. U.S. Secretary of State Powell said U.S. officials were \"deeply disturbed at this new escalation of the violence.\" American Vice President Dick Cheney, assumed by many to be the real power behind the throne, hinted today that the U.S. is not happy with Israel\'s use of the American-made F-16 jets against the PA. He stopped short of saying that the U.S. would pressure Israel on this matter, however, saying, \"It\'s a very sensitive issue.\" Cheney also said that he does not see the U.S. mediating between the parties in the near future, although \"the Administration is in touch with both sides.\" He said that President Bush may meet with Yasser Arafat next month.
Facing criticism for the heavy attack - the first time Israel had used jets against Palestinian targets since the Six-Day War - Prime Minister Sharon said, \"When it comes to Israel\'s security, there will be no compromises.\"
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said, \"Israel is going through its hardest times since the War of Independence.\"
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman explained why fighter planes were used, and not the combat helicopters that have been used until now:
\"Helicopters can make holes in buildings, but the bombs that an F-16 can drop can totally destroy them. Planes can carry much heavier bomb loads and are very precise... Israel\'s strategy is no longer to hit individual mortar launchers, but rather the PA itself. The targets are PA installations, jails, Palestinian security forces - yes, the same forces to whom we just apologized a few days ago for killing five of their men, the ones with whom we had security negotiations until a short time ago. The message to Arafat is, \'you want escalation, we\'ll give it to you\'… Another hidden message is that Arafat is in danger of being knocked out totally, he is no longer considered at all as a potential partner; the security apparatus has information showing that not only has he made a firm decision to continue the violence for as long as he is able, but also that he is directly involved in planning the attacks. Israel even considered not letting him fly out to the Arab League conference; this is yet another message, to the effect that he may soon not be able to travel freely...\"
UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan said that Israel\'s response to the murder of five Israelis was excessive. U.S. Secretary of State Powell said U.S. officials were \"deeply disturbed at this new escalation of the violence.\" American Vice President Dick Cheney, assumed by many to be the real power behind the throne, hinted today that the U.S. is not happy with Israel\'s use of the American-made F-16 jets against the PA. He stopped short of saying that the U.S. would pressure Israel on this matter, however, saying, \"It\'s a very sensitive issue.\" Cheney also said that he does not see the U.S. mediating between the parties in the near future, although \"the Administration is in touch with both sides.\" He said that President Bush may meet with Yasser Arafat next month.
Facing criticism for the heavy attack - the first time Israel had used jets against Palestinian targets since the Six-Day War - Prime Minister Sharon said, \"When it comes to Israel\'s security, there will be no compromises.\"
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said, \"Israel is going through its hardest times since the War of Independence.\"
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman explained why fighter planes were used, and not the combat helicopters that have been used until now:
\"Helicopters can make holes in buildings, but the bombs that an F-16 can drop can totally destroy them. Planes can carry much heavier bomb loads and are very precise... Israel\'s strategy is no longer to hit individual mortar launchers, but rather the PA itself. The targets are PA installations, jails, Palestinian security forces - yes, the same forces to whom we just apologized a few days ago for killing five of their men, the ones with whom we had security negotiations until a short time ago. The message to Arafat is, \'you want escalation, we\'ll give it to you\'… Another hidden message is that Arafat is in danger of being knocked out totally, he is no longer considered at all as a potential partner; the security apparatus has information showing that not only has he made a firm decision to continue the violence for as long as he is able, but also that he is directly involved in planning the attacks. Israel even considered not letting him fly out to the Arab League conference; this is yet another message, to the effect that he may soon not be able to travel freely...\"