IDF expects quiet during Gaza exit

A senior Israel Defense Forces officer predicts Palestinians will maintain quiet during disengagement: In an exclusive Ynet interview Wednesday, a senior IDF officer said the disengagement plan that calls for Israel to evacuate all settlements in the Gaza Strip and some in northern Samaria will be carried out with some coordination with the Palestinians. “There might be some isolated shootings, but there will be no organized, pre-planned terrorism,” the officer said. “Some individuals might act individually. It's not clear just how Islamic Jihad will react.” In analyzing Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' (Abu Mazen's) performance in combating terrorism, the officer stressed that although one cannot ignore the fact that since taking office, Abbas' actions have led to a dramatic drop in attempted terror attacks, the Palestinian leader has not taken an active enough role in fighting terror. “Abu Mazen prefers dialogue to confronting terror groups, but he will not take an active role to destroy their infrastructure once and for all,” the officer said. “He suspects he might not win a power struggle with these groups, so he believes dialogue is his only choice.” Emulating Hizbullah The officer also said that “Hamas wants to emulate Hizbullah. They want to play a part in Palestinian political life, and also do continue their terror activities." IDF officials keep close tabs on changes within the various terror groups active here, as well as organizations exerting influence on local groups from abroad. “Islamic Jihad in the territories is at odds about how to relate to the calm situation,” the officer said in regard to the suicide bombing Friday night in Tel Aviv that killed five people. “The organization's central command in Damascus gave the green light for the attack," he said. "Everything was coordinated there, including the funding.” The officer also said Hamas is currently undergoing significant changes, and that the organization responsible for some of the deadliest attacks against Israel faces a crossroads between continuing its terrorist campaign and adopting new strategies. He said that Hamas is on the verge of some historic decisions, on the heels of Abbas' election, and the opposition of many Palestinians to more terror attacks. Lebanese snowball effect Following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, the officer predicts Lebanon is on the cusp of a major changes. “The demonstrations in Lebanon could snowball, and together with some international intervention, this could be the beginning of something historic,” he said.

IDF expects quiet during Gaza exit

In interview with Ynet, senior IDF official says disengagement to be coordinated with Palestinians