|
IDF chief: We will continue targeted killings of militants
By Yuval Yoaz and Gideon Alon
11/09/05 "Haaretz"
-- -- Israel will continue with its targeted
killings of Palestinian militants, Israel Defense Forces Chief of
Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz said yesterday afternoon,
because the policy has proven itself to be extremely effective in
curbing terror activity.
Halutz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that
the targeted strikes will focus on Islamic Jihad members.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also told the committee that the
targeted killings and military pressure on the terror organizations
will continue, and thanked the IDF for preventing the increase in
terror activity with its operational initiative.
The High Court of Justice will soon renew deliberations on a
petition brought by the Public Committee against Torture, protesting
the IDF's policy of targeted killings of Palestinian militants in
the territories since 2000.
The state prosecutor informed the High Court on Monday that it does
not oppose a renewal of deliberations and a ruling on the petition.
Justices Aharon Barak, Mishael Cheshin and Dorit Beinisch decided
nine months ago to freeze High Court debate on the petition,
following an announcement made by Sharon that Israel would halt its
targeted killings. Sharon, speaking at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in
February, said the tactic would only be used in rare and extreme
circumstances.
However, in the wake of targeted killings carried out by the IDF in
the past few weeks, the Public Committee against Torture again
appealed to the High Court to renew deliberation on its petition.
The High Court will also review a petition filed by the Yesh Gvul
movement demanding that a criminal investigation be launched against
Halutz for ordering the use of a one-ton bomb to kill senior Hamas
figure Salah Shehadeh in Gaza in July 2002. Shehadeh was killed
together with 14 Palestinian civilians.
Shoulder-missiles smuggled into Gaza
Halutz told the Knesset that terror operatives have managed to
smuggle 10 shoulder-launched missiles into the Gaza Strip over the
past two years. He also said terror elements pose a threat to
civilian air traffic primarily outside of Israel.
Meretz-Yahhad MK Ran Cohen demanded Halutz order a halt to the use
of artillery on populated areas due to the risk it might pose to
innocent civilians.
© Copyright 2005 Haaretz
Translate
this page
(In accordance with Title 17
U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to
those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the
included information for research and educational purposes.
Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the
originator of this article nor is Information Clearing House
endorsed or sponsored by the originator.) |
