"The new rules will affect mostly aircraft that spray insecticides on
crops," an official said. "They fly low and could be a target of Hamas SAMs
[surface-to-air missiles]."
So far, Hamas or its Palestinian militia allies have not been reported
to have fired SA-7s or other air defense missiles. But officials said the
air force has detected Hamas SA-7 squads around Gaza City that were waiting
to attack low-flying Israeli aircraft.
On Dec. 31, the Israeli government approved a plan to equip passenger
jets that could protect against shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. A
Cabinet committee said the Israeli-origin systems, developed by such
companies as Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems, would be
installed on all Israeli passenger jets.
[On Jan. 13, Israeli troops moved into the Gaza City suburb of Tel Hawa.
Witnesses said Israeli armored and infantry units were maneuvering in the
neighborhood of high-rise buildings that included the homes of Hamas
leaders.]
"The decision is part of the continuing effort to provide a response to
existing terrorist threats against the state of Israel around the world," a
Cabinet statement said. "The Transportation Ministry will be responsible for
the project, in cooperation with the security establishment and the security
industries."
