Deputy chief of staff: Rocket launchings less effective
Maj. Gen. Kaplinsky briefs cabinet ministers, despite two deaths from attacks in Haifa Sunday. Peretz answers criticisms of ground offensive
According to Maj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, deputy IDF chief of staff, "while rocket barrages are still being launched, the efficacy of the launches has decreased."
Kaplinsky, in a briefing to the cabinet on Sunday, maintained the veracity of this statement in spite of a fatal volley of rockets that killed two people earlier in the day.
In his briefing, the general explained that there are continuous attempts to smuggle arms into Lebanon via Syria. The IDF is avoiding operations the Lebanon-Syria border so as not to risk a transfer of the military arena.
Kaplinsky added that IDF is prepared for 'pinpoint' ground offensives to demolish out rocket launch sites and other terrorist infrastructure, while imposing an ongoing aerial and naval blockade. In recent days, such operations have successfully destroyed several important Hizbullah sites, including eight rocket launch sites on Saturday alone. Regardless, thousands of reserves soldiers have been called up to help with the war effort.
Peretz explained that the ground operations currently taking place are a supporting act to the air strikes aimed at rocket launch cells and infrastructure. "We are not deviating from operational orders…Everything is coordinated and approved," emphasized the defense minister.
Head of the IDF Intelligence Corps, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, said that Iran "is in up to its neck" in Hizbullah operations in Lebanon. During the briefing, Yadlin revealed that Iran has invested some one hundred million dollars in the Hizbullah's current operation and other military activities.
Head of the Shin Bet, Yuval Diskin, discussed continued operations in Gaza. Diskin announced that the situational picture in Gaza is still unclear regarding an agreement on the cessation of Qassam fire allegedly consolidated by Palestian faction leaders Saturday. "Israel evaluates reality based on what happens in the field," he said, noting Hamas' continuing armament efforts.
מומלצים
