Goverment OKs harsh response to Kassams
HERB KEINON and YAAKOV KATZ, THE JERUSALEM POST
May. 16, 2007
Israel will respond in a "harsh and severe" manner to the barrage of Kassam attacks on Sderot, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided Wednesday, essentially putting an end to Israel's policy of restraint that has been in effect for more than six months.
The decision to significantly ratchet up Israel's response was made at a high level meeting Olmert convened with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni, Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin and senior IDF and security officials.
Defense officials said after the meeting that targeted assassinations would be renewed, though at this point they would not be directed against Hamas political leaders, but rather against those actively involved in terrorism. Throughout the day, 21 Kassams were fired at Israel, bringing the total number of rockets fired into Israel since Tuesday to over 40.
Goverment OKs harsh response to Kassams
