By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
Aug 21, 2005
The Palestinian Arabs plan to march on evacuated Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip prior to the full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the area and carry out attacks against IDF soldiers.
That was the warning delivered by IDF intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash to the members of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet Sunday.
Farkash said the Palestinian Arabs will quickly run out of patience to enter the abandoned Jewish towns in celebration over their ?victory,? and suggested official ?Palestinian? bodies were behind organizing mass marches.
For nearly two years, defense experts have warned that the Palestinian Arabs will do everything possible to make Israel's departure from Gaza appear to be a retreat under fire.
Over the past week, that effort has been led by PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas and his right-hand man, Mohammed Dahlan, both of whom have publicly stated that the ?blood of the martyrs,? a euphemism for deceased terrorists, has brought about Israel's flight.
General Security Services Director Yuval Diskin told the ministers the current relative calm in Gaza should not be attributed to any perceived efforts by Abbas and his regime.
?As time passes, [the] terror organizations,? which Abbas refuses to disarm or dismantle, ?will renew attacks,? said Diskin.
He cautioned against openly praising Abbas for what at present amounts to ongoing non-compliance with the PLO's peace obligations.
Diskin's professional assessment notwithstanding, Mofaz declared to the cabinet that the Sharon government viewed Abbas' behavior and efforts to ensure a smooth Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as exemplary.