AS,
no offense, not that you give a shit, but this is a War on terror thread,
keep your theories and conspiracies to yourself already:
IDF Preparing Response to Eilat Suicide Bombing
22:35 Jan 29, '07 / 10 Shevat 5767
by Hana Levi Julian
Defense Minister Amir Peretz has ordered the IDF to prepare for a counter-terrorist operation in the aftermath of Monday’s suicide bombing in Eilat.
Peretz declared that no ceasefire will keep Israel from responding to terrorist attacks.
Peretz met in Jerusalem with senior officers from the IDF and the General Security Services after the attack, which left three civilians dead and five in shock after a 21-year-old unemployed construction worker from Gaza blew himself up in the popular resort city.
It is believed that the IDF will focus on destroying tunnels which lead from Gaza to Egypt and which are used by terrorists to smuggle weapons and infiltrate Israel. However, Peretz said he has no intention of giving details at this time, and will state only that the operation will be “against those who carry out terrorist activities.”
Brigadier-General Tzvika Fogel, ex-head of the Southern Command, said Monday that he was unsurprised by Monday morning’s suicide bombing in an Eilat bakery.
According to Fogel, there have been many previous attempted attacks in the area. The army must learn quickly how to manage the new front which this attack has opened, he said, because there will certainly be further attempts.
Top security officials, including Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, suspect that the terrorist traveled from Gaza to Egypt via a system of secret tunnels. It is probable, they said, that the terrorist then entered Israel through a gap in the security fence between Israel and Egypt.
IDF officials added that they believe that this is the most likely option. Meanwhile, Egypt has denied the allegations, saying there is no way that the bomber or explosives came through the Sinai Peninsula.
The IDF is also investigating the possibility that the terrorist left Gaza with Israel’s permission. It is possible that he received a permit from Israel to travel to the annual Hajj festival in Mecca. Instead of returning to Israel, officials say, he may have stayed in the Sinai Peninsula and infiltrated the Eilat area from there.
Israel has frequently ordered European Union monitors to close the border crossing at Rafiah, which straddles Egypt and Gaza, but the EU recently criticized the closures as unnecessary.
The Jewish State was criticized ten days ago by the head of the EU's team of observers, Lt. Gen. Pietro Pistolese, who said the frequent closings in response to terror alerts were unnecessary.
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