Day-to-day operation (Illustration)
Photo: Amir Cohen
Security cabinet says no to Gaza operation
Cabinet to recommend against large-scale military operation in Strip, calls on IDF to continue short, targeted operations
The security cabinet announced Wednesday it would recommend the government refrain from launching a wide-scale operation in Gaza, opting instead to continue with targeted IDF operations.
Data given to the cabinet revealed that the IDF has held 115 operations aimed at destroying terror infrastructure and Qassam cells in the Strip since the beginning of the year, and killed 260 Palestinian terrorists.
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IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi and senior Shin Bet officials further told the cabinet that the extra leeway authorized by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, has led to IDF operations along the security fence being more proactive than reactive.
The security cabinet was also briefed on the economic sanction imposed on the Gaza Strip: According to the Civil Administration, the sanctions have begun taking their toll, as Hamas' support is declining.
The sanctions, however, did little to weaken Hamas' military strength, as it keeps armoring, especially due to the ongoing weapons' smuggling from Egypt.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni briefed the cabinet on the political efforts made in regards to the situation in Gaza. The world, said Livni, understands Israel's need to defend itself against terror.
