(Ha'aretz) Gideon Alon - The current IDF operation in Gaza was sparked by an impending large delivery of antitank rockets, Katyushas, and perhaps even shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles that could be a strategic threat to Israeli aircraft - all waiting on the Egyptian side of the border for an available tunnel, military sources said Tuesday. Since the destruction of two armored personnel carriers and the killing of 11 soldiers last week was perceived by the Palestinians as a major victory, it was also important that Israel take action to prevent any military momentum from developing on the Palestinian side. Egypt, a sovereign state with powerful and effective security services, is doing almost nothing to prevent weapons shipments. Yet the exact opposite approach can be found in Jordan, which conducts extensive, intensive, and aggressive activity against smuggling and infiltrations along the Israeli-Jordanian border. Amman has made its border with Israel a closed military zone, and IDF officers have watched as Jordanian soldiers took out terrorist cells.
2004-05-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive