GAZA CITY — Israel has pledged to maintain its timetable for a
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank.
Officials said the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has assured
the United States that Palestinian missile strikes against Jewish
communities in Israel and the Gaza Strip would not disrupt the withdrawal
operation, scheduled to begin on Aug. 17. They said Sharon has pledged to
maintain the withdrawal as his priority.
"The redeployment will take place according to the timetable set,"
Sharon said. "Attacks will not stop this redeployment, because this
operation is not linked to terrorism and will not take place under
Palestinian fire."
Later this week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was scheduled
to visit Israel in an effort to ensure that withdrawal plans proceed on
schedule. Officials said Ms. Rice has urged Israel not to embark on any
military operation that could torpedo the pullout.
Officials said the military has sought to end Palestinian strikes before
the Israeli withdrawal. They said the General Staff has warned of the
prospect of numerous casualties if the pullout and eviction of 10,000 Jews
from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank take place under fire.
"We will first have to deal with the terror and then with the
disengagement," Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said.
On Saturday, Hamas fired at least eight Kassam missiles and 20 mortars
toward the Gush Katif bloc of settlements in the central Gaza Strip. Sixteen
people were injured in the third straight day of missile attacks.
Palestinian gunners also fired several Kassam missiles toward the
Israeli city of Sderot and a nearby kibbutz. There were no reports of
injuries.
So far, the military has been limited to air attacks against insurgency
targets in the Gaza Strip. Israel Air Force helicopters struck a Palestinian
car that was transporting Kassam missiles and insurgents in Gaza City.
An Israeli military statement identified the passengers as "senior
[Hamas] weapon producers on their way to launch Kassam missiles toward
Israel." Palestinian sources said four Hamas agents were killed.
Hours later, air force helicopters fired missiles toward three Hamas
buildings in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. A military statement said the
buildings were used to produce missiles, mortars, anti-tank rockets and
other weapons.
The military has sent main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers and
engineering vehicles to the Gaza Strip. But Israeli officials said the
military would not launch a ground attack against Palestinian insurgency
groups. They said Sharon has been urged by the United States to avoid such a
military operation.
For his part, Abbas has again appealed for a halt to Palestinian missile
strikes against Israel. Abbas, in a statement on PA television, blamed
Israel for sparking the latest round of violence, which has included Hamas
attacks on PA security forces.
"We hold the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences
of its policy, which reflects a step back and sabotaged any chance to
maintain the truce," Abbas said. "No one could expect the continuation of a
one-sided truce."
