Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, speaking yesterday afternoon to an assembly of immigrant students, said, "It must be stated in the most unambiguous and emphatic terms: when it is said that dozens of Palestinians have been struck down, that is actually dozens of armed terrorists who stood in the way of IDF fighters."
Mr. Mofaz detailed the IDF successes in the ongoing Days of Penitence Operation in Gaza: "Thus far, nearly ten Kassam launching cells have been hit, along with many terrorists who attempted to interfere with the operation. We intend to take every possible measure in order to remove the threat of mortar barrages from Gush Katif."
As for the enemy, the Defense Minister continued, "They know that [mortar or rocket attacks] will not pass without a response from the State of Israel. We are going to escalate the [military] activity from the sea, the land and the air until they understand that they will not be successful."
Mr. Mofaz also explained that IDF control over the Gaza region is to continue even after the currently planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. "We will continue to maintain our control in Gaza from the air and from the sea even after the implementation of the plan. I believe that the plan will increase our ability to strike at terrorism," Mofaz said, "but even if not, the security forces are sufficiently strong to handle the terrorist threat."
Mr. Mofaz detailed the IDF successes in the ongoing Days of Penitence Operation in Gaza: "Thus far, nearly ten Kassam launching cells have been hit, along with many terrorists who attempted to interfere with the operation. We intend to take every possible measure in order to remove the threat of mortar barrages from Gush Katif."
As for the enemy, the Defense Minister continued, "They know that [mortar or rocket attacks] will not pass without a response from the State of Israel. We are going to escalate the [military] activity from the sea, the land and the air until they understand that they will not be successful."
Mr. Mofaz also explained that IDF control over the Gaza region is to continue even after the currently planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. "We will continue to maintain our control in Gaza from the air and from the sea even after the implementation of the plan. I believe that the plan will increase our ability to strike at terrorism," Mofaz said, "but even if not, the security forces are sufficiently strong to handle the terrorist threat."