Israel’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Moshe Ya'alon, who is on a visit to Washington, has said that it is "only a matter of time" until the Israeli army launches a massive attack in the Gaza Strip.
Ya'alon also criticized the proposal that CIA director George Tenet visit the Middle East to help rebuild the Palestinian security apparatus, and stated that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's claim that Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat was "irreplaceable" as a partner in the peace process, was "a mistake."
Ya'alon added that Arafat should have been "isolated" immediately after the capture of the Karine A weapons ship, and that Powell "released [Arafat] from responsibility."
According to Haaretz, Ya'alon, who will take over from Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz in June, is in the United States to meet with several senior figures in the Bush administration, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Ya'alon's comments were published Thursday in the New York Times, which credited his comments to "a senior Israeli military official," who met with senior American military correspondents.
The paper reported that Ya'alon told journalists that he "cannot see any utility for [Tenet's mission]. The situation is not mature for such a mission." Ya'alon added that reforms in the PA's security establishment were not possible as long as Arafat remained chairman.
According to the U.S. newspaper, "senior Israeli officers" are afraid that any strengthening of the PA will lead to a new wave of attacks against Israel.
Ya'alon told the paper that Hamas, as well as other groups, are using the Gaza Strip as a safe refuge, where they are manufacturing mortars and planning more attacks.
The Israeli operation in Gaza was deferred for political reasons, but would eventually be carried out, said Ya'alon, probably immediately after the next attack on Israeli soil.
Ya'alon also said that Israel would no longer rely on the Palestinian Authority to prevent attacks in the West Bank, and that attempts to implement the Tenet cease-fire plan "are no longer relevant." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
