IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon says that the army is "strongly considering" a mission to widen the Philadelphi route along the Israeli-Egyptian border in southern Gaza - the site of the missile attack on Wednesday that killed five soldiers. The route is deemed of vital security interest, controlling the flow of arms and explosives into Gaza. It would have remained in Israeli hands even under Prime Minister Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan.
The Israeli forces, according to the plan, will raze hundreds of buildings along the route. The army explains that this is "in order to ensure the safety of the soldiers traveling there, and in order to afford a better vantage point for observing the area and detecting preparations for attacks such as the one that killed five soldiers on Wednesday."
The decision to clear the area has reportedly been approved by Prime Minister Sharon, after he consulted with high-level security officials. It will be implemented when the search for the soldiers' remains has been completed. Unoccupied buildings will be knocked down in the first stage, followed by occupied structures - for whose residents Israel will find alternate housing. The Palestinian Authority plans to protest the Israeli program to international elements.
Left-wing politicians continue to demand a full withdrawal from Gaza, in the light of the events of the past days, and even a restriction on IDF operations in the area. MK Shimon Peres said again today that Israel must withdraw totally from Gaza, including the Philadelphi route. Veteran left-wing MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz had harsh words for the decision to widen the Philadelphi route, saying that the destruction of many PA homes, "even with the approval of the White House," would make Israeli leaders liable to be tried for international war crimes.
MK Aryeh Eldad of the National Union had harsh words in response: "The left-wing is trying to hook up the deaths of the soldiers to its struggle for surrender and retreat from the Gaza Strip."
The Israeli forces, according to the plan, will raze hundreds of buildings along the route. The army explains that this is "in order to ensure the safety of the soldiers traveling there, and in order to afford a better vantage point for observing the area and detecting preparations for attacks such as the one that killed five soldiers on Wednesday."
The decision to clear the area has reportedly been approved by Prime Minister Sharon, after he consulted with high-level security officials. It will be implemented when the search for the soldiers' remains has been completed. Unoccupied buildings will be knocked down in the first stage, followed by occupied structures - for whose residents Israel will find alternate housing. The Palestinian Authority plans to protest the Israeli program to international elements.
Left-wing politicians continue to demand a full withdrawal from Gaza, in the light of the events of the past days, and even a restriction on IDF operations in the area. MK Shimon Peres said again today that Israel must withdraw totally from Gaza, including the Philadelphi route. Veteran left-wing MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz had harsh words for the decision to widen the Philadelphi route, saying that the destruction of many PA homes, "even with the approval of the White House," would make Israeli leaders liable to be tried for international war crimes.
MK Aryeh Eldad of the National Union had harsh words in response: "The left-wing is trying to hook up the deaths of the soldiers to its struggle for surrender and retreat from the Gaza Strip."