Israel roots out terrorism in Rafah

YOSSI DARR SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

For the last two weeks, Israel has been struggling on two fronts: with terrorism by the "super producers" Hamas and Fatah, and with the media, as the "third part of the conflict."

During February and March 2004, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to go for a dramatic step regarding a disengagement in the Gaza Strip: This was even more dramatic coming from Sharon, known as one of the most fervent supporters of settlements during the past four decades.

Sharon knew that he would face opposition, nevertheless he started to advance his view, believing that it's time to separate Israel from the Gaza Strip. According to various polls, Sharon was supported by a large majority of the Israeli people in this decision (long before the recent Likud referendum). With the disengagement plan, would there be relief and would support come from the Palestinians?

The answer came six weeks later, on March 14. Two homicide bombers penetrated the Ashdod Port, killing 10 and wounding another 16. This type of terror was not new, but what was new is that these homicide bombers were trying to hit the bromide gas tanks (bromide is very toxic), which could have caused the death of thousands in Ashdod and surrounding neighborhoods. Thank G-d it did not come to this – not only because so many people have been saved, but G-d forbid what would have been the Israeli retaliation in this case?

Since March 14, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. Israel could not just ignore the escalation of terrorism targeting thousands of innocent people (especially following a clear statement of disengagement).

According to all military intelligence and Shin Bet reports, all the ways led to Rafah (Rafiah) as the main Palestinian weapon warehouse. The town, divided between Egyptian and Palestinian halves on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, has served for years as the main route for smuggling into Gaza the weapons used by terrorists to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers. As such, it has been referred to by IDF chief of general staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon as "the gateway to terrorism."

Since the beginning of Palestinian violence in September 2000, the IDF has uncovered 90 arms-smuggling tunnels running between Egyptian and Palestinian Rafah, tunnels used to deliver rifles, explosives and a number of shoulder-launched, Strella anti-aircraft missiles into Gaza, along with Sagger anti-tank missiles and long-range Katyusha rockets. It was, therefore, very much expected to see a large operation against these tunnels, as well as against the Hamas and Fatah terrorists. In the past six weeks, IDF tunnel-busting units have uncovered and destroyed eight arms-smuggling tunnels in the Rafah area.

Another escalation in violence took place two weeks ago, when an armored personal carrier (APC) was hit by the Palestinians. Pieces of the APC and of the soldiers' bodies were scattered over hundreds of metres, even landing on the rooftops of neighboring buildings. Six IDF soldiers were killed.

While such terrorism was not new, Israel could not ignore the fact that, soon after the blast, Hamas terrorists excitedly displayed and played with the body parts in front of cameras. Gazan Arabs were seen dancing in the streets with pieces of the destroyed Israeli APC and pieces of dead Israeli soldiers. In another scene, shown on Israel's Channel 2 TV, a Hamas gunman on a motorcycle held a bloodied burlap bag with body parts. And then, a macabre scene on al-Jazeera TV, with hooded Islamic Jihad spokesmen, sitting and talking on camera, with the head of a dead Israeli soldier sitting in front of them on the table, as if nothing strange was happening.

On that day, most of the Israelis seeing this barbarianism were unanimous in their views: the Hamas will pay and be punished. The government has since been supported by the majority in Israel. However, in spite of the anger and frustration felt in Israel, the IDF has tried to remain humanitarian and moral.

The only homes destroyed have been those concealing arms-smuggling tunnels or sheltering terrorists firing at soldiers. The instructions to the forces are to be careful in any military actions that could cause humanitarian difficulties. Unfortunately, despite this order, the Palestinian population will suffer because of IDF efforts to prevent large-scale weapons smuggling and the resultant clashes with terrorists.

The army also has offered the Palestinians medical assistance, including the evacuation of the casualties to Israeli hospitals, but this was declined. The IDF has allowed humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians to proceed – according to Isranet News & Media, more than 40 trucks loaded with food, water, medical supplies, mattresses and blankets recently flowed into the combat zone, as well as 490 oxygen cylinders for hospitals in Gaza.

Terrorists often operate from within homes and civilian structures. When terrorists fire from within these buildings or activate roadside charges from orchards and fields, military necessity dictates the demolition of these locations. Under international law, these locations are considered legitimate targets. Therefore, in the midst of combat, when dictated by operational necessity, Israeli security forces may lawfully destroy structures used by terrorists. The arms tunnels exit into private homes in the Rafah refugee camp, also making them legitimate military targets under international law.

Palestinian terrorists employ the most abhorrent and inhuman methods, including suicide terrorism, in order to target Israeli civilians and soldiers, contrary to any notion of morality, and in grave breach of the international laws of armed conflict. Palestinian terrorists operate from within densely populated areas, abusing the protection granted by international law to the civilian population.

Another means employed by Israel against terrorists is the demolition of homes of those who have carried out suicide attacks or other serious attacks, or those who are responsible for sending homicide bombers on their deadly missions. Israel has few available and effective means in its war against terrorism. This measure is intended to provide a deterrence to the perpetrators and their dispatchers, not as a punitive measure. This practice has been reviewed and upheld by the High Court of Justice.

One of Israel's biggest problems in all of this is its demonization by the media. Most journals fail to mention the reasons of the "Rainbow" operation. No one points out the potentially devastating consequences of the Ashdod attack. No one recalls Tami Hatuel, the pregnant mother, Hila, 11, Hadar, 9, Roni, 7, and two-year-old Meirav being slaughtered by the terrorists just three weeks ago.

No one will mention that, in the procession held by the Palestinians, and on which an IDF tank fired, among the seven killed, five were carrying weapons, and the two children were killed by the Palestinians themselves and not by Israel, as first claimed. No one will mention that Israel is ready to pay compensation to non-involved house owners (under proof of ownership) if their house has been demolished during the operation. (In fact, on Sunday, the Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli offer to compensate families whose homes are demolished in Rafah.)

How easy it is to watch the "today pictures" and to forget the "yesterday pictures." How easy is it to absorb propaganda rather than to search for the facts, as it is so easy to watch a TV show rather than to read a book.

It is appropriate maybe to present the unexpected words of Khaled Jalabi, writing in Saudi Arabia's Al-Watan, commenting on the prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hezbollah:

"At first glance, it appears that Israel endured the humiliation of conducting negotiations with a faction and not a state, with the aim of freeing one individual in exchange for hundreds of prisoners. But only a child would miss the point: On a pure arithmetic reckoning, the meaning is that Israel viewed the three corpses and the one living man as being equivalent to any number of people, even if that total reached hundreds or thousands. In terms of moral logic, the moral is that, in Israel's view, the life of an Israeli, even one of Arab origin, is considered invaluable. In contrast, an Arab citizen can be thrown in prison for having surfed on the opposition's Web site ... that shows how much a citizen's life is worth in the eyes of Arab regimes."

Yossi Darr is the Jewish National Fund shaliach in Vancouver.

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