"Leave The Area or We Will Fire." So reads a new sign at an American Army checkpoint near the Iraqi city of Basra, where four American soldiers were killed two days ago by a suicide bomber disguised as an innocent motorist. AP reports that U.S. forces have shut down all roads in an area north of Najaf (160 kilometers south of Baghdad), and drivers who approach a military checkpoint will be shot on sight if they fail to stop or turn around after being warned. Yesterday, U.S. officers opened fire on two vehicles that failed to stop as they approached the checkpoint, and killed one person. The Americans say that soldier safety comes first. "It's unfortunate but necessary to ensure the safety of our soldiers," said U.S. Maj. Gen. Buford Blount, commander of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division.
Israel's policy was somewhat different. On April 7 of last year, at the height of the IDF's Operation Defensive Shield in Jenin against the Palestinian Authority terrorists, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "Israel's policy of refraining from harming civilians lengthens the amount of time we must remain there [in Jenin], and sometimes leads to Israeli casualties." Two days later, 13 Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush in Jenin that was widely recognized to be a direct result of the policy to take all measures to avoid civilian casualties.
Israel's policy was somewhat different. On April 7 of last year, at the height of the IDF's Operation Defensive Shield in Jenin against the Palestinian Authority terrorists, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "Israel's policy of refraining from harming civilians lengthens the amount of time we must remain there [in Jenin], and sometimes leads to Israeli casualties." Two days later, 13 Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush in Jenin that was widely recognized to be a direct result of the policy to take all measures to avoid civilian casualties.