In an appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, the Prime Minister said that Israel would not withdraw from areas in Judea and Samaria if terrorism does not stop. The implication was clear: additional withdrawals and expulsions are on the agenda as soon as Palestinian terrorism ceases.
Sharon also rejected accusations that the government is preventing the IDF from ending the mortar shell and rocket barrage against Jewish Gaza. Katif residents have long protested that the army is taking only minimal measures in response to the incessant attacks. It has also been averred that the army has been instructed to "save" the call-up of reserves, who could be used against the mortar shell attacks, for removing the residents from their homes in the summer.
Several committee member MKs accused Sharon of tying the military's hands for political reasons. Sharon reacted angrily, calling such accusations false and assuring the committee that the military is under no such political restrictions. He said that the army faces no restrictions at all in fighting the rockets and shells, and "the IDF has received orders to take all measures to prevent the shells."
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."
The Prime Minister implied that safeguarding the Israelis in Gaza is not only Israel's responsibility, saying that if the Palestinian Authority were to scatter its resources throughout Gaza, it could bring an end to the constant firing on Jewish communities in the area.
MK Omri Sharon, the Prime Minister's son and a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, even blamed Brig.-Gen. Gadi Shamni for the army's ineffectual warfare against the Kassams.
The Prime Minister explained that the IDF will react forcefully if the Arabs attempt to violently disrupt the "disengagement plan" withdrawal. MK Sha'ul Yahalom (National Religious Party) then asked why the government can’t stop the rocket attacks now if it can do so during evacuation.
Three more Kassam rockets were fired at Gush Katif Monday night, including one that landed in the heart of the town of N'vei Dekalim. No injuries were reported. Almost 5,100 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Arab-controlled areas at Israel's southern coast in the past four years.
The Prime Minister told the Committee that the terrorists have shoulder-mounted missiles and have plans to down crop dusters flying 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 sent out warnings on this matter to kibbutzim and moshavim in the area several months ago.
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.
Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim told Arutz-7 last night that no decision has been taken to show restraint vis-a-vis the mortar shell and Kassam launcher cells until after the elections in the Palestinian Authority, which are to be held on January 9. He said, however, that there is a definite policy of not employing artillery fire towards the source of the rockets, in order not to harm civilians on the Arab side.
The Deputy Defense Minister said he does not rule out the possibility that shelling of the western Negev will intensify if the disengagement is implemented. He still supports the plan, however, because "it could bring Israel great diplomatic gains."
Sharon also rejected accusations that the government is preventing the IDF from ending the mortar shell and rocket barrage against Jewish Gaza. Katif residents have long protested that the army is taking only minimal measures in response to the incessant attacks. It has also been averred that the army has been instructed to "save" the call-up of reserves, who could be used against the mortar shell attacks, for removing the residents from their homes in the summer.
Several committee member MKs accused Sharon of tying the military's hands for political reasons. Sharon reacted angrily, calling such accusations false and assuring the committee that the military is under no such political restrictions. He said that the army faces no restrictions at all in fighting the rockets and shells, and "the IDF has received orders to take all measures to prevent the shells."
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."
The Prime Minister implied that safeguarding the Israelis in Gaza is not only Israel's responsibility, saying that if the Palestinian Authority were to scatter its resources throughout Gaza, it could bring an end to the constant firing on Jewish communities in the area.
MK Omri Sharon, the Prime Minister's son and a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, even blamed Brig.-Gen. Gadi Shamni for the army's ineffectual warfare against the Kassams.
The Prime Minister explained that the IDF will react forcefully if the Arabs attempt to violently disrupt the "disengagement plan" withdrawal. MK Sha'ul Yahalom (National Religious Party) then asked why the government can’t stop the rocket attacks now if it can do so during evacuation.
Three more Kassam rockets were fired at Gush Katif Monday night, including one that landed in the heart of the town of N'vei Dekalim. No injuries were reported. Almost 5,100 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Arab-controlled areas at Israel's southern coast in the past four years.
The Prime Minister told the Committee that the terrorists have shoulder-mounted missiles and have plans to down crop dusters flying 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 sent out warnings on this matter to kibbutzim and moshavim in the area several months ago.
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.
Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim told Arutz-7 last night that no decision has been taken to show restraint vis-a-vis the mortar shell and Kassam launcher cells until after the elections in the Palestinian Authority, which are to be held on January 9. He said, however, that there is a definite policy of not employing artillery fire towards the source of the rockets, in order not to harm civilians on the Arab side.
The Deputy Defense Minister said he does not rule out the possibility that shelling of the western Negev will intensify if the disengagement is implemented. He still supports the plan, however, because "it could bring Israel great diplomatic gains."