The two soldiers killed last night while pursuing terrorists were killed in the same area where almost a year ago to the day, on Dec. 20, 2002, Netzer Hazani's Rabbi Yitzchak Arama, 40, was murdered. The rabbi was on his way with his family to a family celebration. Brig.-Gen. Gad Shamni, head of the IDF Gaza Formation, said that over the past year there have been 11 attempted shooting attacks on the Kisufim Route, and that all were successfully prevented.
Avner Shimoni, Gaza Regional Coast Council head, told Arutz-7 this morning, "This route, which is the only one to Gush Katif, has exacted a high price over the years. Whoever drives here is astonished to see that there are Arab houses along the route that provide cover for the terrorists, and until these buildings are taken down, we will continue to pay this heavy price." He said that there was once a plan to take down the buildings along the route, but the Supreme Court blocked it.
Shimoni said that Palestinian terrorism keeps pace with Israeli politics:
"We see how the terrorism progresses together with the speeches of the Prime Minister. The enemy can sniff out what's happening here [the inclination to give away Jewish towns in Gaza - ed. note], and he steps on the gas harder in order to 'help' him [Sharon] with his decisions. We see the increasing number of mortar and shooting attacks. I'm sure that once again, the left-wing will jump on last night's murders like a great prize and use it to explain why we have to get out of Gaza as fast as possible. But I hope that the public won't fall for it, and will realize that talk of this type is what causes terrorism to intensify."
Avner Shimoni, Gaza Regional Coast Council head, told Arutz-7 this morning, "This route, which is the only one to Gush Katif, has exacted a high price over the years. Whoever drives here is astonished to see that there are Arab houses along the route that provide cover for the terrorists, and until these buildings are taken down, we will continue to pay this heavy price." He said that there was once a plan to take down the buildings along the route, but the Supreme Court blocked it.
Shimoni said that Palestinian terrorism keeps pace with Israeli politics:
"We see how the terrorism progresses together with the speeches of the Prime Minister. The enemy can sniff out what's happening here [the inclination to give away Jewish towns in Gaza - ed. note], and he steps on the gas harder in order to 'help' him [Sharon] with his decisions. We see the increasing number of mortar and shooting attacks. I'm sure that once again, the left-wing will jump on last night's murders like a great prize and use it to explain why we have to get out of Gaza as fast as possible. But I hope that the public won't fall for it, and will realize that talk of this type is what causes terrorism to intensify."