(Jerusalem Post) Editorial - This week, the IDF launched in Rafah its largest operation since Operation Defensive Shield, with the main objective of preventing an arms build-up on the Palestinian side. According to Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, Palestinian gangs were planning to smuggle missiles through tunnels under the Rafah corridor, which could place Ashkelon in their range and threaten the air force's activity in the area. The arms smuggled into Gaza do not come from nowhere. They arrive via different routes, all of which pass through a neighboring sovereign country with which Israel has a peace treaty and diplomatic relations, at least nominally. Since Egypt has a strong central government and aggressive security forces, the Egyptian tactics are clear: to allow mutual bloodletting between Israelis and Palestinians while maintaining an appearance of impartiality.
2004-05-21 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive