Gaza Strip is locked down by land and sea, on PM Olmert's order - DEBKA

[Delphinium]

Palestinian Qassam missiles aimed at IDF armored concentrations on Gaza border Monday night.

Entry and exit of the Gaza Strip are now barred, he said in a tough speech in Jerusalem Monday, June 26.

Olmert vowed Israel's response would reach every terrorist, every terrorist group where they are, however far away and wherever they hide. No office-holder who bears responsibility will enjoy immunity. DEBKA file's sources interpret this as a threat to the Damascus-based radical Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal. "We will act to restore our soldier safe and well to his family," he said.

Olmert stressed that time is running out for an extensive military action. Israel will not be the object "Hamas, terrorist extortion." He pledged: "No negotiations are taking place on the release of prisoners – nor will they be. Israel does not intend to put up with "bloodthirsty, terrorist fundamentalist, fanaticism."

Justice minister Haim Ramon said earlier that the Gaza Strip blockade aimed to hinder kidnapped Gilead Shalit's transfer to hostile elements across the border into Egyptian Sinai. DEBKAfile adds: The theory that members of the al Qaeda-Palestinian cell in Gaza are among his captors is gaining ground.

Sunday night, Israel decided to hold off immediate military action in Gaza for fear of harm to kidnapped Israeli soldier since promoted to Sgt. Gideon Shalit, 19, from Mitzpe Hilo, is safe.

The decision was reached at a special security cabinet consultation called by prime minister Ehud Olmert to deal with the IDF response to the Hamas-led pre-dawn raid from Gaza inside Israel, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed, a third was kidnapped and 6 were injured.

DEBKAfile's military sources say the cabinet's options were narrowed by the slow reactions of the generals on the spot – Maj.-Gen Yoav Galant (Ariel Sharon's former military secretary) and Brig. Aviv Cochavi - plus the chief of staff's reluctance to act independently without deferring to his political masters. Had the IDF gone roaring after the terrorists and kidnappers - or even launched a blind pursuit without waiting for a decision from the policy-makers - Israel might have gained the initiative and been in a position to force the kidnapped soldier's release by pinning the Palestinian terrorists to the wall.

These responses were seen by the Palestinian terrorist groups which carried out the concerted attack early Sunday as a sign of weakness and lack of resolve.

This affair recalls the October 2000 kidnap by Hizballah of three Israeli soldiers, Adi Avitan, Benny Avraham and Omar Sawad, on Israel's northern border. Then, too, prime minister Ehud Barak held back from expeditious action. Four years later, in the absence of any sign of life from the captured men, Israel was forced to pay dearly for their remains. Both Israeli premiers were loath to send troops back into evacuated territory – South Lebanon then, the Gaza Strip now.
__________________________________________________ _______________

[Sojiita]

When you souce your articles could you please provide a link as is customary on this board ?

[Delphinium]

Originally Posted by Sojiita

When you souce your articles could you please provide a link as is customary on this board ?

I received this via e-mail, the only source is the name of the original publication DEBKA. sorry. If I find them on-line I will do my best to include the source.

[Sojiita]

Originally Posted by JungleMonkey

I received this via e-mail, the only source is the name of the original publication DEBKA. sorry. If I find them on-line I will do my best to include the source.

Fair enough. thanks