Olmert With Big Stick Over Gaza
Israel Plans to Expand Offensive in Gaza Strip, Says Olmert
Hisham Abu Taha, Arab News
GAZA CITY, 31 October 2006 — Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday that Israel plans to expand its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and will decide soon on the what kind of operation it will conduct.
The military offensive will not lead to an Israeli reoccupation of the coastal area it pulled out of last year, Olmert was quoted as telling lawmakers at Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Officials said the goal of an offensive would be to prevent arms smuggling along the porous Egypt-Gaza frontier.
Later, at a Cabinet meeting, Olmert said, “There is no doubt that we have to take steps to reduce the ability of the Palestinians to fire rockets at Israel and smuggle in weapons,” but no decision has been made on exactly what to do, according to a participant in the meeting.
The participant, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters, said Olmert specified that Israeli action would “minimize humanitarian problems.” In southern Gaza, meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen kidnapped Roberto Vila, a 34-year-old Spanish aid worker, the latest in a string of abductions of journalists and other foreigners in the chaotic territory. There was no immediate indication of who the kidnappers were or what they wanted. Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, a spokesman for Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the abduction. “We are ashamed by such acts,” he said, calling for the aid worker’s immediate release.
In northern Gaza, Palestinian police said a man was killed and two other people wounded when an Israeli tank shell hit a house. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Israel has been fighting in Gaza since June, when Hamas fighters there carried out a cross-border raid, killing two soldiers and capturing a third.
However, the army has largely avoided acting in the border area with Egypt — going in last week, the first time since its withdrawal last September. Recently, Israel said that arms smuggling across the border has increased significantly.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said any additional military operations in Gaza, specifically along the border with Egypt, would be a “dangerous escalation.”
Olmert also told the parliamentary committee that he would consider allowing Palestinian President Abbas to beef up his security forces with troops stationed in neighboring Jordan.
Palestinian officials said Saturday that Abbas, a moderate, wants to bring in the forces ahead of a possible showdown with the rival Hamas group.
Hisham Abu Taha, Arab News
GAZA CITY, 31 October 2006 — Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday that Israel plans to expand its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and will decide soon on the what kind of operation it will conduct.
The military offensive will not lead to an Israeli reoccupation of the coastal area it pulled out of last year, Olmert was quoted as telling lawmakers at Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Officials said the goal of an offensive would be to prevent arms smuggling along the porous Egypt-Gaza frontier.
Later, at a Cabinet meeting, Olmert said, “There is no doubt that we have to take steps to reduce the ability of the Palestinians to fire rockets at Israel and smuggle in weapons,” but no decision has been made on exactly what to do, according to a participant in the meeting.
The participant, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters, said Olmert specified that Israeli action would “minimize humanitarian problems.” In southern Gaza, meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen kidnapped Roberto Vila, a 34-year-old Spanish aid worker, the latest in a string of abductions of journalists and other foreigners in the chaotic territory. There was no immediate indication of who the kidnappers were or what they wanted. Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, a spokesman for Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the abduction. “We are ashamed by such acts,” he said, calling for the aid worker’s immediate release.
In northern Gaza, Palestinian police said a man was killed and two other people wounded when an Israeli tank shell hit a house. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Israel has been fighting in Gaza since June, when Hamas fighters there carried out a cross-border raid, killing two soldiers and capturing a third.
However, the army has largely avoided acting in the border area with Egypt — going in last week, the first time since its withdrawal last September. Recently, Israel said that arms smuggling across the border has increased significantly.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said any additional military operations in Gaza, specifically along the border with Egypt, would be a “dangerous escalation.”
Olmert also told the parliamentary committee that he would consider allowing Palestinian President Abbas to beef up his security forces with troops stationed in neighboring Jordan.
Palestinian officials said Saturday that Abbas, a moderate, wants to bring in the forces ahead of a possible showdown with the rival Hamas group.
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 4:02 PM
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