He told the Foreign and Affairs and Defense Committee that if the Palestinian Authority were to scatter its sources throughout Gaza, it could bring an end to the constant firing on Jewish communities in the area.
Three more Kassam rockets fell on Gush Katif Monday night, including one that landed in the heart of the town of N'vei Dekalim. No injuries were reported.
Sharon also revealed that terrorists have shoulder-mounted missiles and are planning to down crop dusters which fly in the western Negev near Gush Katif. He said he had sent out warnings that if they try such attacks, Israel will respond harshly. Defense officials warned kibbutzim and moshavim in the area several months ago not to allow crop dusters to fly.
Sharon also said that if the government expels Jews from the communities slated for destruction, it will not do so "under fire."
Brig.-Gen. Gadi Shamni told the committee the IDF has a wide range of responses to the ongoing enemy bombardment of Gush Katif, including taking over all Arab-controlled areas.
Several Knesset members accused Sharon of tying the military's hands for political reasons, and said that he has failed to halt the shelling of Jewish homes. Sharon angrily reacted, calling such accusations false and assuring the committee that the military is under no such political restrictions. "Don't impute political motivations to this matter," he warned.
When the Prime Minister explained that the IDF will react forcefully if the Arabs attempt to disrupt the withdrawal in his "disengagement plan," Knesset Member Shaul Yahalom (National Religious Party) asked why the government can’t stop the rocket attacks now if it can do so during evacuation.
IDF officers in the Southern Command recently reported that their hands are tied. "Frustration does not begin to describe our feelings," the officers were quoted as saying. “Because of the limited operations, [the terrorists] are encouraged to continue shooting... This can't go on for very much longer."
Almost 5,100 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Arab-controlled areas at Israel's southern coast in the past four years.
Three more Kassam rockets fell on Gush Katif Monday night, including one that landed in the heart of the town of N'vei Dekalim. No injuries were reported.
Sharon also revealed that terrorists have shoulder-mounted missiles and are planning to down crop dusters which fly in the western Negev near Gush Katif. He said he had sent out warnings that if they try such attacks, Israel will respond harshly. Defense officials warned kibbutzim and moshavim in the area several months ago not to allow crop dusters to fly.
Sharon also said that if the government expels Jews from the communities slated for destruction, it will not do so "under fire."
Brig.-Gen. Gadi Shamni told the committee the IDF has a wide range of responses to the ongoing enemy bombardment of Gush Katif, including taking over all Arab-controlled areas.
Several Knesset members accused Sharon of tying the military's hands for political reasons, and said that he has failed to halt the shelling of Jewish homes. Sharon angrily reacted, calling such accusations false and assuring the committee that the military is under no such political restrictions. "Don't impute political motivations to this matter," he warned.
When the Prime Minister explained that the IDF will react forcefully if the Arabs attempt to disrupt the withdrawal in his "disengagement plan," Knesset Member Shaul Yahalom (National Religious Party) asked why the government can’t stop the rocket attacks now if it can do so during evacuation.
IDF officers in the Southern Command recently reported that their hands are tied. "Frustration does not begin to describe our feelings," the officers were quoted as saying. “Because of the limited operations, [the terrorists] are encouraged to continue shooting... This can't go on for very much longer."
Almost 5,100 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Arab-controlled areas at Israel's southern coast in the past four years.