By Ryan Jones
Mar 08, 2007
A top IDF general on Wednesday suggested that Israel's decision to quit the Gaza Strip had been a mistake that enabled Hamas and other terrorists to actually gain strength.
In a briefing to the foreign press, IDF Southern Command chief Yoav Galant said that instead of the peace and security the previous government promised the pullout would bring, "Palestinian" terrorism emanating from Gaza has anything but abated.
"Since the Disengagement 2,053 rockets have been launched at Israel, 296 explosive charges have been detonated, 143 attacks carried out against tanks not inside Gaza, and there were 260 incidents of gunfire at IDF forces outside of Gaza."
Galant indicated that the situation is only going to get worse, as Hamas already has more than 5,000 heavily-armed and well-trained men stationed in Gaza and is set to increase that number.
He said Hamas and other terror groups have managed to become stronger despite the economic embargo against the PA due to their ability to now travel abroad and acquire arms and training from nations like Iran and Syria.
Another fruit of the Gaza withdrawal.
Galant said the IDF has a battle plan in place to reverse the situation, but officials have warned that the longer Israel waits to pacify Gaza the more lives it will eventually cost to do so.