After a visit today to the Rafiach and Kerem Shalom checkpoints between Gaza and neighboring Egypt, the defense minister commented, "Control of the crossings is reasonable, but it is still partial and not complete. There are still gaps, and I hope that they will be filled very soon."
However, Mofaz also warned, "If the situation does not improve and the Palestinians don't cooperate, we will close the Erez and Karni Crossings [between Gaza and Israel]. They will become international borders, with all that that entails. I hope that the Palestinians understand the significance of such a step."
During a tour of the Egypt-Israel border yesterday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told IDF soldiers stationed in the region, "The mission of the forces in the field is to put an end to border infiltrations." The prime minister was escorted by Defense Minister Mofaz. Both leaders were shown IDF observation posts along the border and heard intelligence reports of the efforts made by smugglers to bring weapons, ammunition, drugs and people into Israel from Egypt.
On other fronts in the struggle against Arab terrorism, IDF forces operating in Shechem Wednesday morning successfully convinced two wanted Hamas terrorists to turn themselves in. A Fatah terrorist was also arrested in the operation, during which Palestinian Authority gunmen opened fire and threw firebombs at Israeli forces. There were no injuries among IDF soldiers, while PA sources reported ten injuries.
During the night, IDF soldiers arrested at least eleven terrorists in the vicinities of Bethlehem, Hevron and Jenin. Suspects in custody include Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad members.
In Jenin, soldiers involved in counter-terrorism efforts were targeted by terrorist gunfire several times. In Bethlehem, on Tuesday, PA security forces opened fire on an elite IDF undercover team that was involved in the apprehension of wanted terrorists. The force was extricated unharmed by IDF backup troops. There were no injuries during operations in either city.
However, Mofaz also warned, "If the situation does not improve and the Palestinians don't cooperate, we will close the Erez and Karni Crossings [between Gaza and Israel]. They will become international borders, with all that that entails. I hope that the Palestinians understand the significance of such a step."
During a tour of the Egypt-Israel border yesterday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told IDF soldiers stationed in the region, "The mission of the forces in the field is to put an end to border infiltrations." The prime minister was escorted by Defense Minister Mofaz. Both leaders were shown IDF observation posts along the border and heard intelligence reports of the efforts made by smugglers to bring weapons, ammunition, drugs and people into Israel from Egypt.
On other fronts in the struggle against Arab terrorism, IDF forces operating in Shechem Wednesday morning successfully convinced two wanted Hamas terrorists to turn themselves in. A Fatah terrorist was also arrested in the operation, during which Palestinian Authority gunmen opened fire and threw firebombs at Israeli forces. There were no injuries among IDF soldiers, while PA sources reported ten injuries.
During the night, IDF soldiers arrested at least eleven terrorists in the vicinities of Bethlehem, Hevron and Jenin. Suspects in custody include Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad members.
In Jenin, soldiers involved in counter-terrorism efforts were targeted by terrorist gunfire several times. In Bethlehem, on Tuesday, PA security forces opened fire on an elite IDF undercover team that was involved in the apprehension of wanted terrorists. The force was extricated unharmed by IDF backup troops. There were no injuries during operations in either city.