IMRA Newsletter
PM: Shoulder-held ground-to-air Missiles in Gaza
Dec. 27, 2004
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid1104122541897&p=1078027574097
[IMRA: In line with the apparent policy of the Sharon team that security concerns after the retreat are beyond the planning horizon, it does not appear that Mr. Sharon addressed how the introduction of shoulder-held ground-to-air missiles to the Gaza Strip impacts on Israel's post-retreat response capabilities that were to rely almost exclusively on air-based responses.
Prime Minister Sharon's warning that "Israel's response to such rocket attacks would be "very harsh."" is, of course, also based on the assumption that Israel will enjoy a free hand to act after the retreat rather than be subject to tremendous pressure to show "restraint" so as not to plunge the fragile PA into chaos - not to mention pressure not to damage facilities built with donor money, or pressure to avoid action that might lead to wounding the international human shields [AKA "observers"] that are expected to be deployed.]
Palestinian groups in Gaza have acquired shoulder-held ground-to-air missiles, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday, warning that Israel's response to such rocket attacks would be "very harsh."
Speaking with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Sharon revealed that Israeli farmers feared to deploy crop dusters near the Gaza border because of the new threat.
However, Sharon said he authorized the flights and sent a warning to all of the "parties" that if there were any attempt to hit aircrafts Israel's response would be "very harsh."