IDF: Hamas to determine policy soon
Terror group is set to decide on whether it will restrain itself or resume attacks on Israeli targets; military source says, 'Hamas does not differentiate between Gaza and the West Bank. From their standpoint, we asked them to maintain the peace during the disengagement – and they complied. But meanwhile four Palestinians were killed in Shilo, and five more were killed last night in Tul Karm'
Hamas is set to determine its policy in light of the recent escalation in violence within the next few hours, IDF officials told Ynet.
The terror group is set to decide on whether it will restrain itself or opt to resume its attacks on Israeli targets.
“We cannot forget that the Shfaram, Shilo and Tul Karm incidents, in which 13 people were killed, raise many dilemmas,” one IDF source said.
The army is examining the significance of Thursday’s Qassam rocket fire at the western Negev desert, which came following weeks of quit and after the pullout was carried out with almost no cases of Palestinian terror, which was contained by the Palestinian Authority security forces in such a way that surprised senior IDF commanders in the area.
Army prepared for any development
IDF officials said the fact that no one was hurt during the Qassam attacks was no coincidence.
“When they want to aim better, they know how to do so,” a source said.
IDF forces in Gaza are still dealing with clearing the equipment left behind by former settlers, destroying the homes and removing military apparatus from the evacuated area.
“The IDF will not respond (to the Qassam rocket attacks),” an IDF sources said.
“Hamas does not differentiate between Gaza and the West Bank. From their standpoint, we asked them to maintain the peace during the disengagement – and they complied. But meanwhile four Palestinians were killed in Shilo, and five more were killed last night in Tul Karm. The group is attentive to the Palestinian street, they try to determine in which direction the wind is blowing. This is why they are holding discussions. In the meantime, the PA is trying to ease tensions.”
However, the IDF says it is prepared for any development, including operations within Palestinian areas.
IDF officials are not convinced of a direct connection between the Qassam rocket attacks and the rocket fire along the northern border, adding that the incident in the north may have resulted from a technical malfunction. The Qassam attacks are not necessarily linked to the Jerusalem stabbing incident either, the said.
“We should not be quick to treat the incidents as a coordinated effort,” an IDF source said.
