July 17, 2005
Israeli Troops Gaze Into Gaza
Troops Mass On Border After Numerous Rocket And Mortar Attacks
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Israeli soldiers climb on a tank maneuvering near the Neve Dekalim settlement in the Gaza Strip (AP)
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An Israeli security guard inspects a car after it was hit by a Palestinian homemade rocket in the Neve Dekalim settlement (AP)
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Israeli soldiers and doctors rush a wounded Israeli to a hospital in the Gaza Strip settlement of Neve Dekalim (AP)
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"I spoke to the heads of the defense establishment ... and informed them that there are to be no restraints on our operations," Sharon told Cabinet ministers at the start of a weekly Cabinet meeting
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told Israel Radio earlier in the day that the military would decide soon whether to launch a ground offensive before or after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pays a snap visit to the region this weekend to try to halt the Palestinian attacks.
"It depends what will develop in the coming hours," Boim said. "It's a matter of hours. We will not suffer such a heavy rain of Qassam (rockets.)"
The army plans to invade northern Gaza — the area militants use to fire rockets at Sderot — but a military official said on condition of anonymity that the deployment of thousands of soldiers along the border is meant more as a threat for the time being.
Erekat said an Israeli incursion into Gaza "will have a disastrous impact on the disengagement plan, and all efforts to make it a successful and smooth and peaceful disengagement."
Mushir Masri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said an Israeli incursion would touch off more violence.
"They should understand that by this serious escalation they have opened the gates of Hell, and if they enter Gaza we are not going to stand by silently," Masri said. Hamas, he said, was re-evaluating the truce,
An Egyptian delegation arrived in Gaza Sunday to try to salvage the tattered cease-fire. Masri said Hamas, which is to meet with the Egyptians later in the day, welcomed efforts to end the tension.
Mofaz postponed a trip to Washington because of the escalating violence, ministry officials said on condition of anonymity. Mofaz was to have left for the U.S. on Saturday, but now plans to go later in the week.
©MMV CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
