HA’ARETZ 1. IDF DIRECTING THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS TO GAZA STRIP; PREPARING TO ENTER PA AREAS AND BLOCK RIGHT-WING MARCH. Eliminations – IDF resumes eliminations; seven Hamas activists killed in Gaza and Salfit. US – Rice shortens her trip to Africa and will come to Israel to calm tension. PA – Three Palestinians killed in clashes between PA and Hamas in Gaza. Hamas – escalation result of contest with PA and internal weakness. 2. More than 100 Kassams and mortar rounds fired from Gaza. SDEROT BREAKS KASSAM RECORD BUT THERE STILL ISN’T SUFFICIENT BUDGET FOR HOME PROTECTION. HATZOFEH 1. Paratroop officers: General Staff misled IDF Chief Rabbi. SABBATH DESECRATION AT ROADBLOCKS AGAINST JEWS. Soldiers transported on Sabbath from kibbutz Sa’ad to Negev roadblocks in order to man roadblocks against uprooting opponents. IDF Spokeswoman confirms: Was done in coordination with IDF Chief Rabbi. 2. THREE PEOPLE LIGHTLY WOUNDED OVER WEEKEND IN MORTAR AND ROCKET BARRAGE ON GAZA STRIP AND NORTHERN NEGEV. IDF directing armored forces to Gabim area ahead of ground in Gaza Strip. 3. CONDOLEEZA RICE TO ARRIVE IN AREA IN ORDER TO TRY AND CALM TENSION. 4. NEVEH DEKALIM RESIDENT VIOLENTLY ATTACKED BY POLICEMEN AT ROADBLOCK. 5. IDF PREPARING TO EVACUATE SETTLERS VIA PHILADELPHI CORRIDOR if Kisufim route is blocked by uprooting opponents. 6. IDF STEPS UP INSPECTIONS AT EXIT POINTS FROM JUDEA AND SAMARIA; DISRUPTIONS EXPECTED IN SETTLER TRAFFIC. MA’ARIV 1. Dozens of Kassams in Israeli territory. „Last chance for Abu Mazen.” Tomorrow: Great march to Gush Katif. END OF THE QUIET. IDF resumes targeted eliminations and concentrates forces on border of Gaza Strip. Warning to Abu Mazen: If you don’t stop the firing – we will do it ourselves. 2. Expose: ONE OF THE LONDON TERRORISTS VISITED ISRAEL. Terrorist attack investigators checking: Was suicide-terrorist Muhammad Sidi Khan linked to attack at Mikes’s Place? 3. APPARENT: BEN-BASAT TO DEFENSE MINISTRY. Mofaz to former Finance Ministry Director-General: Come be Defense Ministry Director-General. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. IDF preparing for action: Tanks and APCs at entrance to Gaza Strip. Firing ahead of disengagement: 70 Kassams and mortar rounds fired; eliminations resumed. Americans applying pressure: Condoleeza arriving for emergency visit. INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO PREVENT CONFLAGRATION. Sharon to IDF: Act without restriction. Security establishment: This is declaration if intent in order to pressure Abu Mazen. 2. KISUFIM: HUMAN WALL AGAINST SETTLERS. Settlers tried to block Kisufim route and tear wire fence – soldiers stood with linked arms in order to prevent breakthrough to Gaza Strip. BPI-info
______________________________ Both papers discuss various issues related to the Disengagement Plan and the ongoing escalation of violence in and around the Gaza Strip: Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, commends the US for insisting that 2/3 of its „disengagement grant” to Israel be spent in developing the Negev and the Galilee. Hatzofeh accuses the Government and the IDF of putting more effort into blunting protests against the Disengagement Plan than they are in fighting terrorism and avers that, „The Government’s and army’s order of priorities is clear: Uprooting Jews takes precedence over their security.” Yediot Ahronot suggests that the ongoing escalation of violence in and around the Gaza Strip, „is the result of two mistaken working assumptions. The first by Hamas – which believes that it will gain p.r. points if Israel withdraws from Gaza under fire. The second by Israel – which assumes that it must not carry out the disengagement under fire.” The editors believe that, Hamas will continue to inflict disasters on it people,” but assert that, „Israel can go back on its declaration that there will be no withdrawal under fire,” adding that, „While Israel cannot allow unrestrained firing at its communities, it can allow itself to operate in less-than-ideal conditions of disengagement (even under Kassam and mortar fire) and prevent extremists and terrorism from dictating its steps.” Hatzofeh, in its second editorial, stresses the importance of the Yesha Council’s plan for a large-scale match on Gush Katif starting tomorrow. BPI-info
