Israel threatens massive assault if Gaza pullout under fire
AFP
Date: 07-31-05
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel threatened a massive ground offensive into the Gaza Strip should Palestinian militants open fire on soldiers or settlers during next month's pullout from the occupied territory.
Such an assault, similar to March 2002's Operation Defensive Shield, which saw troops re-occupy most of the West Bank after numerous suicide bombings, would delay the historic withdrawal by up to two weeks, deputy defence minister Zeev Boim said.
"In the case of fire, we will stop the pullout and strike a big blow in an operation at division level," Boim told public radio.
Senior Israeli military officials have repeatedly warned that the army will reoccupy Palestinian towns in the Gaza Strip should militants open fire, in order to protect the troops dismantling all 21 settlements.
"In the worst scenario, I believe such an operation of the magnitude of Operation Defensive Shield would last 10 days to two weeks, time to strike a massive blow in order to finish with terrorism," said Boim.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has frequently warned that he will not permit Israel's first withdrawal from Palestinian territory to take place under fire.
While the Palestinian Authority has pledged to ensure the operation takes place free of violence, Israel is not convinced that Gaza-based militants will be able to resist a final opportunity to target soldiers and settlers.
A spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas lashed out at Boim's comments as "dangerous" and warned that any such offensive would have untold consequences on efforts to revive the stalled Middle East peace process.
"What he said is very dangerous and will have negative consequences on the peace process. We ask the Israeli government to stop this," Nabil Abu Rudeina said, reiterating Palestinian readiness to take over security.
Last week, local media said Israeli commanders have drawn up contingency plans for a massive ground offensive to stop militant attacks on Jewish settlements but that they have so far been rejected by Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz.
Sharon's top adviser Dov Weisglass was to hold talks in Washington on final preparations for the pullout and the prospect of better arming Palestinian police with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Israel has so far been reluctant to agree to a demand from the Palestinian Authority for more weapons and ammunition in order to better security after the pullout, officials said.
"If we agree, under the current state of affairs there is a strong chance that such weapons will fall into the hands of terrorists," said a Sharon aide.
But Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres was more circumspect.
"It is true that Palestinian Authority weapons can be used against Israeli civilians, but we also have to take into account the danger of Hamas seizing power in Gaza after our departure," he told public radio.
A host of Palestinian officials, including interior minister Nasr Yussef, have complained that Palestinian security services lack adequate ammunition and arms to deal with violence from armed Islamists.
A police spokesman said 100 cars, several motorcycles and equipment have been donated to the Gaza police by the Spanish government.
In order to prepare for the flood of settlers set to be uprooted from their homes, authorities opened a state-of-the-art caravan park to rehouse scores of settlers voluntarily leaving Gaza before the operation begins in 17 days.
More than 300 spacious caravans, dubbed "trailer villas" by the local media, have been built in the lush rolling hills around Nitzan in southern Israel as temporary housing before permanent accommodation can be found.
"Nitzan will be able to welcome around 300 families, including 160 this week," Housing Minister Yitzhak Herzog told army radio.
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