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IDF to boost artillery fire
Army to target sources of Qassam rocket fire as opposed to empty fields, targeted killing of terrorists to continue, following consultations between PM Sharon, security officials
Ronny Sofer
Tougher approach? Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a meeting with security chiefs Sunday to discuss the ongoing Qassam attacks from Gaza and ordered a series of steps to deal with the rockets.
These include a continuation of targeted killings, the de facto imposition of an 'aerial siege' on areas of northern Gaza, and a go-ahead to the IDF to target sources of Qassam fire with artillery shells.
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| Jihad vows harsh response to 'security strip' / Ali Waked |
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Islamic Jihad threatens to increase Qassam rocket fire should Israel carry out its plan to establish a security strip in north Gaza. ‘For every attack on Palestinians in Gaza, Israel will get more rocket and missile fire directed at their strategic posts,’ a spokesman for the organization’s military wing says |
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Up until now, the shells were directed at open areas used as launching sites. The army also requested permission to introduce measures that would prevent access to those areas.
'Those are my orders'
The meeting was attended, among others, by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin, and the Head of the National Security Council, Giora Eiland.
During an earlier government meeting, Sharon said that he intended to "ensure that they are not acting against us, nor will they act against us. That is my policy, and those are my orders."
During the security meeting, IDF representatives said harsh weather conditions have hindered aerial operations aimed at targeting Islamic Jihad terrorists.
Prime Minister Sharon asked those present to act in the most determined way possible to prevent the launching of Qassams at the southern towns of Ashkelon, Sderot, and at the the western Negev.
10 terror warnings
Figures presented at the meeting showed that there are 10 warnings of terrorist attacks, and 40 pieces of intelligence regarding terror activity.
Shaul Mofaz said that, in light of Hanukah and existing terror warnings, the closure on Palestinian territories would continue until the end of the holiday.
"The IDF and the police will prepare in accordance," he said.
Mofaz also updated ministers on his meeting with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, as part of his effort to apply pressure on the Palestinian Authority, and to lower the level of violence and terrorism. Mofaz criticized the PA over "the continuation of terrorist activities and Qassam attacks on Israel."
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said that on the diplomatic front, Israeli goals were realized when the PA was criticized for failing to advance reforms or show progress in dealing with security problems during a meeting of donor nations.
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