Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has thus far rejected a recommendation by senior Israeli officers that Israel launch a major offensive in the Gaza Strip shortly before or simultaneously with the pullout, Haaretz newspaper repoer Friday.
"Mofaz believes that all diplomatic avenues to persuade the Palestinian Authority to act against the terrorist organizations must be exhausted first," the daily added.
Earlier this week, Mofaz and Israel's Chief of Staff Dan Halutz visited the army headquarters in Gaza Strip, where senior commanders recommended allowing the army to begin operations shortly before the evacuation of settlements starts.
