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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
DEBKA: PA buying banned weapons
2005-09-21
Abu Mazen’s Palestinian Authority purchased some of the banned weapons smuggled into Gaza from Sinai in the last nine days - Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz to Knesset committee. The disclosure means the Palestinian Authority has not only dishonored all the accords reached for Israel`s Gaza withdrawal, but actually instigated and funded Palestinian gun-running, at least in part.
Comes as a surprise, dunnit? My breath is fair taken away...
In his briefing to the Knesset foreign affairs and security committee Tuesday, Sept 21, Mofaz gave no indication of how Israel meant to handle these violations. He said only that Israel takes an extremely grave view of Egyptian-Palestinian dereliction in curbing the flow of illegal weapons from Sinai into the Gaza Strip.
Extremely grave views often seem to involve helicopters, for some reason...
The minister had hoped not to appear before the parliamentary panel session.
"Sweetheart, we're all packed and ready to go to Disneyland!"
"Bad news, honey. I have to appear before a parliamentary panel session."
He only presented himself when the lawmakers insisted on a full briefing from a member of the government to clear up the vague assertion by AMAN military intelligence officer. Brig. Yossi Kupwasser assured the panel that the Palestinians had not acquired “equalizer-breaker” weapons in the early days of Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
But they will, as soon as the suppliers get done filing the serial numbers off...
DEBKAfile’s military experts conclude that the officer’s use of the term “equalizer breaker” evaded the real issue. Terrorists do not need tanks to kill large numbers of civilians – whether in Israel or Iraq – but bombs, explosives and Qassam missiles; or an air force to shoot down an El Al passenger plane and restrict the maneuverability of Israel’s reconnaissance drones and helicopters. All the Palestinians need are Strela anti-air missiles. In the last nine days, they have used the open Sinai-Gaza crossing to abundantly restock with upgraded Qassam missiles, smuggled in banned Strela and anti-tank Sagger missiles, and piled up a mountain of explosives and ammunition.
The secondary explosions should be spectacular
Posted by:Steve

#2  "He said only that Israel takes an extremely grave view of Egyptian-Palestinian dereliction in curbing the flow of illegal weapons from Sinai into the Gaza Strip.

Sounds almost like he's accusing them of being "unhelpful".
Posted by: Xbalanke   2005-09-21 15:14  

#1  I am sure that the Paleos are getting weapons like there is no tomorrow. However, it is a very good question indeed whether or not those weapons will be useful at all killing Israelis, or else are just destined to kill Paleos.

Once again, the important issue is to have anti-rocket/missile lasers emplaced to prevent attack, and the ability to repair any sections of the wall that are significantly damaged. They do not even have to repair the wall quickly, just cover any holes with heavy weapons fire until they are patched.

Other than mortars and rockets, what the heck can the Paleos do? Hold their breaths until they turn blue? Take each other hostage?

Not even other Paleos are going to have any reason at all to live there once their civil war breaks out. Nothing but gunmen living in bloody anarchy like Beirut, until all are used up. Rats fighting over a toxic waste dump.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2005-09-21 13:58  

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