Barak threatens to reoccupy Gaza Strip after November Washington meeting

Friday September 07, 2007 11:18 by IMEMC Staff

Israeli media sources revealed that Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, was involved in overnight discussions with army leaders to try to find ways of putting an end to rocket-fire from Palestinian fighters on to Israeli towns in the southern part of the country.

Barak gave the impression that there was every intention that Israel would reoccupy the Gaza Strip and overthrow Hamas rule there.

The same sources said that army leaders responsible for areas adjoining Gaza revealed to Barak that the current proposals adopted by the military such as cutting off water and power supplies and even killing Hamas leaders would have limited effects and will not stop the launching of rockets once and for all.

The effective solution would be to carry out a full invasion to overcome the Palestinian military factions.

At the meeting representatives from the intelligence and security forces warned of the negative effects of implementing such a large operation. They drew attention to the fact that the reoccupation of Gaza is likely to benefit Hamas as the local population would forget the failures of its governance in Gaza and concentrate on resisting the occupation.

They added that the operation would need the recruitment of reserve forces and cost the lives of soldiers as well as disrupting Israel during the period of feasts that will start next week. It would also cause difficulties for Israel at the meeting in Washington called by US President, George Bush, which is due to take place in November. The meeting will discuss the principles underlying the Palestinian-Israeli conflict so it is unlikely that any operation would be carried out before that date.

Barak has called several meetings to discuss the issue of how to react to the continuing threat from Al Qassam rockets on Sunday.

Translated by :- Nisreen Qumsieh

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