My sources tell me that this is going to be a major incursion. It will not be limited to southern Gaza. Look for Israel to search from house to house if they have to--to find Gilad. Of course the real question is will Olmert let them fight this time.
Jpost Says One of Gilad's Kidnappers Killed by IDF
Updated Oct. 18, 2006 13:19
Report: IDF kills one of Shalit's kidnappers in Rafah
By YAAKOV KATZ, KHALED ABU TOAMEH, AND JPOST STAFF
One of the two Palestinians killed near Rafah on Wednesday as the army moved in force into southern Gaza was active in preparing and executing the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit from the Kerem Shalom outpost on June 25, Hamas sources reportedly told an independent Palestinian news agency.
According to Israel Radio, Ashraf el-Muashar had been a senior operative in Hamas' military wing. The report, which has not been confirmed, came on the heels of a recent order issued to the IDF by the diplomatic echelon to begin drawing up plans for a widespread operation in the Gaza Strip in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing Shalit and to prevent the terror buildup in the Palestinian territory.
With Kassams still being fired at the western Negev and Hamas claiming to be building up an army, the IDF has set in motion preparations for a massive ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, one that senior officers in the Southern Command claim will be "larger than ever before.
2 comments:
The ONLY way this will work is if Israel is willing to make arrangements for a temporary transfer of civilian population. Give the Pali's an "escape route" and invite all non-combatants to relocate for the duration of the search / cleanup.
Fighting with the "non-combatant" population in-place will simply invite endless Kefar Kannes and unnecessary casulaties amongst our own troops ... my sons!
I agree with yoel.ben-avraham that "Palliwood" will milk this for all they can (with the help of sympathetic western journalists). On the other hand, if Olmert were truly interested in what's best for Israel, rather than his treacherous policies, he would send an overwhelming force and give them full powers to do their job. As a result, terrorist forces would be crushed. This type of military campaign would be very short and the Palestinians would, in the aftermath, be forced to choose a leadership that has lost the taste for blood and perhaps there will be peace...
The chances of Olmert allowing such a thing are slim and none. He would much rather turn the police and army on Jewish settlements. The Europeans will then praise him... as they laugh behind his back!
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