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Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

Israel's security cabinet, fearing a further escalation of rocket attack by Palestinian militants, on Wednesday decided to continue its military

An Israeli soldier leads Palestinians, detained during a military operation in Gaza, near Kibbutz Mefalsim Nov. 22, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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JERUSALEM, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel's security cabinet, fearing a further escalation of rocket attack by Palestinian militants, on Wednesday decided to continue its military
operations in Gaza but ruled out large-scale offensive, local media reported.

The decision was made after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a security cabinet meeting on ways to quell the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza.

According to the reports, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would be ordered to continue operations in a bid to prevent rocket attacks and increasing weapons smuggling from Egypt, but the cabinet ruled out any major offensive inside the Gaza Strip.

However, no immediate official comment is available after the cabinet meeting.

Local Ha'aretz daily quoted Defense Minister Amir Peretz as saying Tuesday night that the military would be asked to weigh options for reoccupying areas of the Gaza Strip in order to halt the rocket barrage.

In a security briefing , Peretz said that the IDF should come up with "creative solutions" in an effort to avoid a long-term presence in Gaza.

The military plans that have been drawn up for the major operation in Gaza include calling up reserve divisions as well as the possibility of implementing military rule of law in the Palestinian territories, Jerusalem Post said.

However, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres told Israel Radio Wednesday that retaking parts of Gaza will escalate Qassam problem.

blindfolded Palestinian sits in a bus after he was detained by Israeli forces during a military operation in Gaza, near Kibbutz Mefalsim November 22, 2006.

blindfolded Palestinian sits in a bus after he was detained by Israeli forces during a military operation in Gaza, near Kibbutz Mefalsim Nov. 22, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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