Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) commanders are divided over whether to bring reinforcements from Judea and Samaria into Gaza.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon also said that stopping mortar shelling is a long-term effort, such as the struggle against suicide terrorists. He has ordered the Southern Command to prepare for a nearly all-out assault on Gaza if the Palestinian Administration (PA) does not carry out its promise to halt terror against Israel. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has given Yaalon a free hand if an incursion is ordered, a continuing reversal of his several-week long position to keep a low profile both during and immediately after the recent PA presidential elections.
The newly elected president held an emergency meeting Monday afternoon with PA security chiefs and won agreement for a complete halt to "violent unilateral actions." Based on reports by PA minister Kadoura Fares, newly-elected PA chief Abbas ordered his security forces today to prevent violence, including terrorist attacks against Israel. "Abu Mazen and the cabinet gave clear instructions to the security chiefs to prevent all kinds of violence, including attacks against Israel," Fares was quoted as saying.
However, Abu Mazen also ordered police from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade to patrol with rifles, despite the terror organization's open admission of involvement in terror attacks against Israelis. The same terror group also announced Monday it was "encouraged" by Sderot residents' protest against terror.
The factional warring within the PA was further emphasized by remarks from its new chief of intelligence, Rashid Abu-Shbak. "The [PA] security organs do not have to take action against the [terror] organizations," he said. "Their job is to protect the citizens and not to be a sword against them... We do not intend to take security measures on behalf of Israel for free, as long as there is no agreement with Israel to return to the diplomatic process."
Israel has not given the PA a time limit to "put up" or face the consequences, but recent statements by both Labor and Likud politicians clearly indicate Israeli patience has almost run out.
As the IDF details plans for a possible invasion, the Southern Command of the IDF has requested reinforcements from an entire battalion now serving in Judea and Samaria. The head of the Central Command angrily responded, "The Southern Command is saying in other words that with the division they have they cannot succeed. So why request more forces?"
"We are conducting an effective war against terror in Judea and Samaria and therefore we have prevented terror," said one senior officer. "If we try to cut back, the results will be clear in the field."
Chief of Staff Yaalon will make the final decision.
Israel has called off all diplomatic talks with the PA following the terror attack at Karni on Thursday night which killed six and the continuing Kassam rocket onslaught against Sderot and the western Negev.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon also said that stopping mortar shelling is a long-term effort, such as the struggle against suicide terrorists. He has ordered the Southern Command to prepare for a nearly all-out assault on Gaza if the Palestinian Administration (PA) does not carry out its promise to halt terror against Israel. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has given Yaalon a free hand if an incursion is ordered, a continuing reversal of his several-week long position to keep a low profile both during and immediately after the recent PA presidential elections.
The newly elected president held an emergency meeting Monday afternoon with PA security chiefs and won agreement for a complete halt to "violent unilateral actions." Based on reports by PA minister Kadoura Fares, newly-elected PA chief Abbas ordered his security forces today to prevent violence, including terrorist attacks against Israel. "Abu Mazen and the cabinet gave clear instructions to the security chiefs to prevent all kinds of violence, including attacks against Israel," Fares was quoted as saying.
However, Abu Mazen also ordered police from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade to patrol with rifles, despite the terror organization's open admission of involvement in terror attacks against Israelis. The same terror group also announced Monday it was "encouraged" by Sderot residents' protest against terror.
The factional warring within the PA was further emphasized by remarks from its new chief of intelligence, Rashid Abu-Shbak. "The [PA] security organs do not have to take action against the [terror] organizations," he said. "Their job is to protect the citizens and not to be a sword against them... We do not intend to take security measures on behalf of Israel for free, as long as there is no agreement with Israel to return to the diplomatic process."
Israel has not given the PA a time limit to "put up" or face the consequences, but recent statements by both Labor and Likud politicians clearly indicate Israeli patience has almost run out.
As the IDF details plans for a possible invasion, the Southern Command of the IDF has requested reinforcements from an entire battalion now serving in Judea and Samaria. The head of the Central Command angrily responded, "The Southern Command is saying in other words that with the division they have they cannot succeed. So why request more forces?"
"We are conducting an effective war against terror in Judea and Samaria and therefore we have prevented terror," said one senior officer. "If we try to cut back, the results will be clear in the field."
Chief of Staff Yaalon will make the final decision.
Israel has called off all diplomatic talks with the PA following the terror attack at Karni on Thursday night which killed six and the continuing Kassam rocket onslaught against Sderot and the western Negev.