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6 Ellul 5763 - September 3, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Israel: All-Out War on Hamas
by M Plaut

In a major strategic shift that was reported at last Monday's routine Cabinet meeting, Israel said that it will wage an all- out, unrelenting war on Hamas and other terrorist groups, including all members of its leadership without any special immunity for political leaders. This change in policy has not been noted in the general media.

Defense Minister Mofaz said at the weekly Cabinet meeting that the murderous Hamas attack of 21 Av-August 19 in Jerusalem, in which 21 people were murdered, had opened a new and different chapter for Israel in its relationship with the Palestinians. He explained that the attack had broken the track that was supposed to give the diplomatic process a chance. He noted the Palestinian Authority's passivity regarding the war on terrorism and the infrastructures of terror. Even after that horrible attack, Israel did not do anything for two days in order to give the Palestinian security forces a chance to respond. They did nothing within that period, and only took a few steps that provided photo opportunities the following week after Israel struck.

In response, the Israel security establishment has changed its tactics and has adopted the following new strategy:

* An all-out war against Hamas and other terrorist elements, including continuous strikes at all the organization's leaders; * Increasing the pressure on terror forces in Judea and Samaria; * Freezing the diplomatic process with the PA and making it clear that Israel will neither return to it nor move it forward unless it sees that the PA is taking tangible steps to deal with the infrastructures of terror.

Defense Minister Mofaz said that since the terror attack in Jerusalem, Israel cannot return to the previous "rules of the game." He asserted that the international community, along with the US, understands that there can be no going back to the rules of the hudna, but that an aggressive policy must adopted against Hamas for the sake of future regional stability. Elimination of the terror criminals is not only a goal for Israel but for anyone who wishes stability in the area.

Since the attack in Jerusalem, there have been six targeted eliminations of Hamas terrorists; operational activities in Judea and Samaria have been stepped up; arrests of fugitives have returned to their previous scale; and the security establishment is preparing for the possibility of a security escalation and renewed wave of terror against Israel.

With regard to the situation in the north and Mofaz said that while Israel is maintaining its restraint, tensions are still high and the IDF is prepared for all possibilities.

IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Yaalon noted that Hamas has focused on attempts to launch Kassam rockets at Israeli communities and perpetrate suicide attacks wherever possible. He briefed ministers on actions that were approved by the Ministerial Committee on National Security and which were carried out by the IDF. He said that the IDF is prepared for a limited ground action against Gaza if it is authorized.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon directed Chief-of-Staff Yaalon to convey the Cabinet's gratitude and best wishes to the security forces.

The Shin Bet security services has ordered security increased around a number of Israeli government ministers, fearing that Hamas might follow through on its threats to revenge Israel's recent assassinations of a number of militants.

On Aug. 21, three Hamas members, including prominent leader Ismail Abu Shanab, one of the founders of Hamas, and two bodyguards, were killed in a helicopter missile strike. On Aug. 24, four Palestinians, all Hamas activists, were killed in Gaza City. On Aug. 26 a strike missed its target. On Aug. 28 one Hamas activist was killed in southern Gaza. On Aug. 30 two Palestinians, both members of Hamas, were killed. On Sept. 1 a member of the Hamas military wing was killed by Israeli missile strike.

On Monday September 2, Israel Air Force helicopters fired four missiles at a car in Gaza City, killing two Hamas operatives. Some 30 bystanders were injured.

One of the two, Hader Husari, 36, a leader in the military wing of the organization, was killed outright. The second militant, identified as Munsar Knita, died later of his injuries. A third militant in the car, Nafaz Sabih, was in serious condition.

Witnesses heard four explosions and saw F-16 warplanes flying overhead. Palestinians say the planes are used to mask the sound of approaching helicopters. The missiles hit a small car as it was driving in a crowded side street in downtown Gaza City. Nonetheless, only targeted militants were killed.

The lengths to which the IDF goes to avoid civilian casualties are evident in the fact that only three bystanders were killed in the attacks, though dozens were injured. Most of the attacks pinpointed cars traveling in regular traffic. According to international law, the responsibility for such deaths lies with the Hamas militants since they purposely mingle with noncombatant population. Combatants must be clearly identified and should stay away from noncombatants.

On Monday a Palestinian Kassam rocket hit the southern part of Ashkelon. The militants took advantage of the cease fire to extend the range of their rockets from seven kilometers to nine kilometers, putting Ashkelon within range. There is a major power plant in Ashkelon. Prime Minister Sharon's ranch is also now within Kassam range.

With siyata deShmaya the new policy will bring results that will be beneficial for all peaceful residents of the area.

 

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