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Last update - 00:30 02/01/2009
IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive
By Barak Ravid, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents and News Agencies
Tags: Israel news, Israel, Gaza 

The Israel Defense Forces recommended a major, but relatively short-term, ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as military preparations continued on the border. The army was given the green light to forge ahead with Operation Cast Lead, which entered its sixth day Thursday.

Detailed briefings have been underway for the past two days at Southern Command, with officers receiving their orders. The General Staff believes that more pressure must be put on Hamas to make it agree to a long-term cease-fire under conditions more favorable to Israel.


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Cabinet ministers on Wednesday approved the mobilization of 2,500 army
reservists, expanding on an earlier call-up of 6,500 soldiers for the force on the Gaza border.

The IDF said rocket fire on the south was expected to continue during a ground operation. The army recommends that a diplomatic exit plan be prepared while a cease-fire agreement is formulated.

While defense officials tend to favor a clear agreement with Hamas, even if it is not enshrined in a written document, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is considering another idea.

She reportedly believes that it might be better to aim for a situation in which there is no clearly set-out agreement, but Israel would make clear beforehand that it would respond forcefully to any firing from Gaza after hostilities ended.

Olmert, for his part, has conditioned any future truce between Israel and Hamas on the establishment of an international mechanism to monitor the cease-fire.

On Wednesday, some 70 rockets were fired from Gaza at the Negev, among them some 10 Katyushas with a range of about 40 kilometers. These landed in Be'er Sheva and around Ashdod.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday that Israeli attacks on Gaza had to stop before any truce proposals could be considered. He added in a speech that "the siege must be lifted and all the crossings must be opened because the siege is the source of all of Gaza's problems."

Olmert told cabinet ministers on Wednesday that Israel would not conclude its operation until all its goals had been reached.

Meanwhile, Israel said it would continue to let humanitarian supplies
into Gaza and that more than 90 truckloads with food and medicine would be permitted into the territory on Thursday. Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing on Wednesday to allow in 93 trucks carrying humanitarian aid.

Olmert seeks international body to enforce future truce

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert clarified at Wednesday cabinet meeting that Israel would not end the Gaza operation until all its goals had been reached.

The cabinet did not debate any cease-fire proposals and resolved to continue the operation already approved. Earlier, Israel rejected a French proposal for a 48-hour cease-fire.

"We did not go into the Gaza operation only to end it while rocket fire continues," Olmert told cabinet ministers.

According to Olmert, a decision now to opt for a cease-fire would carry a heavy price.

"Let's say we unilaterally stopped and a few days from now a barrage fell on Ashkelon," he said. "Do you understand the consequences in Israel and the region? For Israeli deterrence, for Israeli measures."

However, Olmert left the door open for a possible future deal.

"If the conditions mature and we think they offer a solution that ensures a better security situation for southern Israel, then we will consider the matter. We aren't there yet," he said.

Olmert is interested in the establishment of an international supervision and enforcement mechanism for any cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

The prime minister has made that a precondition of any deal and emphasized it in talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other world leades.

"Israel cannot agree that the only party responsible for implementing and regulating the cease-fire be Hamas," a senior Israeli diplomatic source said on Wednesdat.

According to the source, lack of an external supervisory body was the central reason for the collapse of the calm earlier this month.

"The situation in which Hamas didn't have to account for implementing the cease-fire did not prove viable," the source said.

Olmert believes that any cease-fire must include the end of rocket and mortar fire, an end to terror attacks on the border fence and the end of arms smuggling and the growth of Hamas power. He strives for an enforcement mechanism that can measure whether Hamas meets its commitments.

Senior Hamas official Ayman Taha said Wednesday that his organization was willing to consider a proposal that would end the Israeli attack and end the siege of the Gaza Strip.

"As soon as we receive a proposal, we will study it," Taha said. "We support any initiative that would end the aggression and lift the siege."

According to Jerusalem sources, Olmert's conditions for a truce were passed on to the United States and other entities in the international community. The U.S. is trying to "sell" Israel's conditions to other groups, including those that talk to Hamas.

"The Americans understand what we want and accept the parameters," the sources said. "The world wants to stop the operation - no problem, but on our terms."

In Wednesday's security cabinet meeting, ministers were updated on several cease-fire initiatives, but none yet meet Israel's terms. The most prominent is the U.S. effort to push Israel's conditions.

Olmert also spoke Wednesday to U.S. President George W. Bush and promised him Israel is working to avoid harm to Gazan civilians. Bush emphasized that "Hamas must stop the missiles."

"We must reach a long-term and stable cease-fire Hamas will honor," Bush said.

Also on the table is a Turkish-Egyptian push for a cease-fire. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Damascus on Wednesday and is slated to arrive in Cairo today.

Turkish president Abdullah Gul Wednesday told Israeli president Shimon Peres that "Turkey wants a cease-fire that will last."

"Other countries in the region take advantage of Hamas, which could lead to a deterioration in the entire Middle East," he added.

In addition, the European Union is attempting to broker a cease-fire deal. On Monday, a delegation including the foreign minister of the Czech Republican - which currently holds the EU presidency rotation, the Swedish foreign minister and the EU foreign affairs commissioner, is slated to arrive in the region.

In addition, French president Nicolas Sarkozy and foreign minister Bernard Kouchner are scheduled to arrive Monday.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will meet the pair in Paris ahead of that visit.

Related articles:
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  • IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive
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  • Top aide to Barak: IDF aiming to stop Gaza rocket fire, not crush Hamas
  • Ari Shavit / Israelis who blame Israel are not helping Gazans
  • Poll: Most Israelis support continuing Gaza military op
  • Israel Harel / Like in Lebanon, Israel blinked first in Gaza
  • Amira Hass / Thousands of Gazans near Rafah displaced by IAF bombing of tunnels
  • Olmert: Israel has no interest in a prolonged war in Gaza
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  • Haniyeh: Palestinian victory in Gaza is near
  • 4 rockets hit south as 'special situation' status extended to 40 kilometers from Gaza border
  • Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about
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  • GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Fallen hero
    Relatives mourn Maj. Roey Rosner, 27, killed Wednesday by Gaza militants.
    On the northern front
    Hezbollah denies responsibility for two rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon.
      1.   Israel`s claim of not occupying Gaza soon tested 03:31  |  Pablo B 01/01/09
      2.   Ceasefire 03:31  |  Yanosh 01/01/09
      3.   gaza 04:19  |  yitz 01/01/09
      4.   it`s a bluff 04:27  |  Paul Freedman 01/01/09
      5.   when can you say you lost 04:30  |  jr 01/01/09
      6.   What `ceasefire";what `lull`? 04:34  |  Arie 01/01/09
      7.   Cease fire or else! What? 04:36  |  asklar 01/01/09
      8.   The end of great heroim (or bullyism)? 05:19  |  Otto Rand 01/01/09
      9.   Ground offensive would be ill-advised... 06:06  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
      10.   no ceasefire - only victory 06:12  |  goofy jew 01/01/09
      11.   You Should know the Policy is a Problem 06:14  |  Mark of Lewiston 01/01/09
      12.   excellent point 06:17  |  S 01/01/09
      13.   Whose Checking the Aid Trucks? 06:19  |  Rick 01/01/09
      14.   Brothers, sisters, cousins, wives, husbands, friends, daughters, 06:26  |  antigonie 01/01/09
      15.   106 Aid trucks for 1.5 Million people? 08:04  |  TV 01/01/09
      16.   Victory? 08:31  |  sal 01/01/09
      17.   "The Siege Must Be Lifted" 09:30  |  Clickfool 01/01/09
      18.   #11, Mark of Lewiston, Hamas ideology is the problem 09:30  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/09
      19.   Fake S #12 09:32  |  S 01/01/09
      20.   I`m writing a book about Haaretz talkbacks... 09:33  |  BBSNews 01/01/09
      21.   Political Disarray In Israel 09:37  |  neil robertson 01/01/09
      22.   What should a "major but brief" ground offensive achieve...??? 09:49  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/01/09
      23.   get a grip 10:36  |  Ronan 01/01/09
      24.   BBSNews #20 10:51  |  S 01/01/09
      25.   Hamas has been committed war crimes and crimes against humanity! 10:53  |  Hanokh 01/01/09
      26.   It is interesting 14:36  |  Chris Linthwaite 01/01/09
      27.   lawlessness occupies the Gaza Strip 14:40  |  Avi 01/01/09
      28.   Let`s consider title! 14:42  |  observer of events 01/01/09
      29.   # 22 is correct 14:52  |  andrew 01/01/09
      30.   Olmert No Exclamations to no one 14:55  |  Miriam Smith 01/01/09
      31.   The Real Truth (Subtext) 14:58  |  TZ 01/01/09
      32.   The ground offensive should be against the settlement enterprise 14:58  |  Dutch 01/01/09
      33.   I believe Paul Freedman (#4) is correct 15:02  |  Avi 01/01/09
      34.   Pablo #1 Your premise is weak 15:11  |  FOX 01/01/09
      35.   Interesting point jr - Kadima is great at losing 15:12  |  Avi 01/01/09
      36.   GO For Broke 15:15  |  brian 01/01/09
      37.   Ground Offensive 15:15  |  Carl Davis 01/01/09
      38.   Siege 15:19  |  Arnaldo 01/01/09
      39.   Short = Failure 15:19  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      40.   Starting a War you can only loose is folly 15:27  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      41.   There are so many ways to support terrorism 15:28  |  Avi 01/01/09
      42.   For Clickfool, # 17: we agree! Bingo! 15:39  |  Israeli citizen 01/01/09
      43.   sal # 16 "Victory" Is Not Being Sought Here 15:41  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      44.   Let the people of Sderot lead the war 15:54  |  Simon 01/01/09
      45.   18 Cipora - Actions Speak Louder Sometimes 15:57  |  Mark of Lewiston 01/01/09
      46.   major but short 16:07  |  rm 01/01/09
      47.   My hearts breaks for ALL in the region. I am holding on to 16:08  |  His assurance 01/01/09
      48.   Gaza ground offensive 16:30  |  Ben 01/01/09
      49.   Brief & Major = More Propaganda 16:33  |  Salem 01/01/09
      50.   #11 Mark of Lewiston.....Many many Arab Journalists 16:43  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      51.   Jeff N. if Hamas is not brought under Fatah to seek peace, then 16:49  |  Simon 01/01/09
      52.   Avi - and the best way to support terrorism is 16:49  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      53.   #20 BBS....while you are at it, just for research sake 16:50  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      54.   #47My hearts breaking... His assurance 16:52  |  tbora 01/01/09
      55.   #21 neil robertson....no one surrenders 16:57  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      56.   Swiss (Dino) # 22 Major But Brief 16:58  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      57.   The Only Solution! 16:59  |  Krisztoph 01/01/09
      58.   Deception as Strategy 17:05  |  Yaakov Sullivan 01/01/09
      59.   #22 Swiss....the only pathetic short sighted 17:07  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      60.   #44 Simon...they are already putting civilians 17:23  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      61.   idf 17:41  |  andrea 01/01/09
      62.   S again speaks the truth (#24) 17:47  |  Morris Valentine 01/01/09
      63.   questions for mark lincoln 17:48  |  bronxite10 01/01/09
      64.   worth reading 17:55  |  Cacho 01/01/09
      65.   The only solution 18:01  |  Yaakov Hillel 01/01/09
      66.   50 Lynn - 41 Years of Siege and Occupation 18:06  |  Mark of Lewiston 01/01/09
      67.   # 56 Jeff, sound nice in theory, but I`m afraid in practise.... 18:14  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/01/09
      68.   Answers for Bronxite10` 18:27  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      69.   Happy New Year dear Morris V (#62) 18:33  |  S 01/01/09
      70.   re 17 clicks enemies 18:55  |  alan the real one 01/01/09
      71.   #1 UNIFIL in Gaza? Um, no. Some other force. 19:06  |  DesMnsDave 01/01/09
      72.   66Mark of L. 60 years of Siege and threats to exterminate Israel 19:16  |  Rob 01/01/09
      73.   #68 Occupation? Hardly 19:27  |  DesMnsDave 01/01/09
      74.   GO FOR THE THROAT 19:28  |  Barry 01/01/09
      75.   WB and Gaza should be governed by different bodies 19:36  |  17 01/01/09
      76.   i suport the israel, 20:09  |  TIM 01/01/09
      77.   Just do the job that you didn`t in lebanon 20:19  |  Mark 01/01/09
      78.   IDF has fought yet in urban environnement!!! 20:20  |  tekel 01/01/09
      79.   52M. Lincoln Who is still supporting Bin Laden terrorism, Mumbai? 20:36  |  Rob (3rd try) 01/01/09
      80.   # 59 Lynn, since this response most probably won`t make it.... 20:40  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/01/09
      81.   Without Israel`s Acceptance, The Problems Will Continue 21:48  |  Dav Lev 01/01/09
      82.   #50 And Lynn if I may add..The rocket debri found 21:48  |  Kathy 01/01/09
      83.   It will be Israel that will lose its legitimacy (Part 2 ) 21:50  |  Dutch 01/01/09
      84.   The curious world of the psycho-right 21:52  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      85.   Ground Offensive 21:56  |  David Gottlieb 01/01/09
      86.   Back on topic 22:03  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      87.   Israel - the failed state 22:08  |  The good German 01/01/09
      88.   DELETED BY MODERATOR 22:48  |  Clickfool 01/01/09
      89.   Ignoring reality - David Gotlieb 22:54  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      90.   If There is Someone in Hamas to Talk to Than Offensive Not Over 22:58  |  Baruch Gold 01/01/09
      91.   Into the killing box ... 23:53  |  spyguy 01/01/09
      92.   Hi Clickfool #88 IAF is perfoming with brilliance. 00:17  |  Sarah 02/01/09
      93.   #5o Lynn on the legitimacy of power and Arab mindset 00:19  |  Mark B. 02/01/09
      94.   #5 jr Find definition of lost here 00:24  |  Chas. 02/01/09
      95.   Lincoln 84 Israel no longer controls Gaza 00:24  |  Joe Frazier 02/01/09
      96.   To the failed German (#87) 00:30  |  Morris Valentine 02/01/09
      97.   17 #75, divide and rule revisited 00:51  |  Mark B. 02/01/09
      98.   Very heroic pilots to be proud of 02:50  |  Fritz T. 02/01/09
      99.   BSNews writes a book which 02:55  |  Stephen in New York 02/01/09
      100.   #5, jr 03:00  |  Josh 02/01/09
      101.   Mark Lincoln #86 03:00  |  oetis 02/01/09
      102.   To: Spyguy 03:04  |  Angel 02/01/09
      103.   Israel is losing 03:06  |  David 02/01/09
      104.   i agree with no.1 03:19  |  JULIE 02/01/09
      105.   # 97 Mark B. - It`s correct 03:21  |  17 02/01/09
      106.   india take notice 03:34  |  surinam 02/01/09
      107.   Push on, stop hamas!! 03:42  |  wetstt 02/01/09
      108.   FRITZ Excatly Arabs have lynched captured Israeli pilots& Pows 03:45  |  PETER SM 02/01/09
      109.   no ground offensive 03:46  |  Samk 02/01/09
      110.   Fritz T. - pilots 03:51  |  Mark Lincoln 02/01/09
      111.   91 spyguy from san Francisco 04:00  |  Jack 02/01/09
      112.   To "The Good German" (Post #87) 04:07  |  flyingdoc57 02/01/09
      113.   #95 Joe Frazier makes me laugh 04:18  |  Johnboy 02/01/09
      114.   #73 A question for you, DesMnsDave 04:26  |  Johnboy 02/01/09
      115.   Dutch # 83 Israel`s Legitimacy Cannot Be Revoked 04:43  |  Jeff Northridge 02/01/09
      116.   response 05:55  |  ag 02/01/09
      117.   Let the population in Gaza eat HAMAS 06:06  |  Chinc Won 02/01/09
      118.   JOHNBOY the joker.Tunnels under Egyptian noses 06:15  |  PETER SM 02/01/09
      119.   Okay 06:26  |  Johnnie boy 02/01/09
      120.   17 #100, I wonder if that is logical what you say 06:48  |  Mark B. 02/01/09
      121.   Recommendations 07:04  |  Arie 02/01/09
      122.   Mark Lincoln`s reductions 07:05  |  bronxite10 02/01/09
      123.   #118 PETER SM`s laughable response. 07:05  |  Johnboy 02/01/09
      124.   IDF, no one listens to you 07:06  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 02/01/09
      125.   Why are IDF recommendations reported in Haaretz 10:36  |  Terry 02/01/09
      126.   #100 Josh 21:37  |  Observer 02/01/09
      127.   Give it up! 23:26  |  Aaron Olds 02/01/09
      128.   #127 Peace is a two-way street, Aaron 02:43  |  DesMnsDave 03/01/09
      129.   To Israel 05:51  |  Rachel in USA 04/01/09
      130.   Arie - i agree with you 05:58  |  Rachel 04/01/09
      131.   war in gaza 13:24  |  saleh 05/01/09
      132.   Gaza 20:35  |  Ric 10/01/09
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