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IDF Begins Anti-Kassam Offensive
13:37 Oct 01, '04 / 16 Tishrei 5765Following a dramatic security meeting last night involving Prime Minister Sharon and Israel's top military and defense officials, and after the terror attacks over the holiday that claimed five lives in the space of 16 hours, the army has undertaken a wide-ranging but limited offensive in northern Gaza. In an operation code-named "Days of Penitence," heavy forces have been brought into the towns of PLO-controlled northern Gaza - Beit Hanoun, Jebalya, Beit Lahiya and the outskirts of Gaza City. The objective is to distance the Kassam rocket launchers from the besieged Israeli city of Sderot. The Kassams currently have a range of some 8-9 kilometers, and Sderot is only a kilometer away from the Gaza border, thus that the mission involves the takeover a vast area. Complicating the effort is the fact that the primitive Kassam launchers can be set up in a yard, fired and removed within a minute or two - leaving little time for an Israeli response. Despite these difficulties, IDF forces have managed, since yesterday, to stop some five Kassam launching cells, as well as several other terrorist groups, that were engaged in firing rocket or mortar shells. The latest such incident occurred this morning, when an Israel Air Force helicopter fired at a cell of three terrorists, killing two of them. The forces have been ordered to shoot at any armed Arab they see in Gaza, and over 45 Arabs have been killed in the offensive. In addition, some 50 homes have been demolished, and water, electricity and phone infrastructures have been very seriously damaged.  Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu proposed at last night's security meeting that civilian infrastructures be targeted as a way of encouraging the local populace to drive out the terrorists from their midst. Justice Minister Tommy Lapid (Shinui), another participant at last night's emergency meeting, expressed general frustration at the difficulties involved in the current war when he said with sarcasm that the only solution is to fortify the roofs in Sderot. In the end, he - together with all the other ministers present - voted to approve the limited offensive, which will continue indefinitely. It was generally understood, however, that other military steps are being considered and will be implemented. France has condemned Israel's latest offensive. A French Foreign Ministry spokesman noted with dismay the number of Arab victims in the Israeli response, but did not mention the Israeli children and others whose deaths triggered the offensive. Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-10-01 |
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