Shooting Fish in a Barrel

Having erected the biggest prison on Earth, the curiously named Israeli Defence Forces have set about bombing it's inmates. Lessons evidently learnt in Sabra and Chatila.

Ha'aretz Editorial today ...

Now that the withdrawal is complete and the border crossings have become de facto international ones, Israel must treat attacks launched from the PA like attacks from any other country - which becomes an enemy state the moment such an action happens. Assertive security dialogue with the PA is the main weapon Israel should use, without compromise or concessions.

The BBC reports Israel launched a series of air raids from Saturday faternoon to Sunday morning and has also taken the unprecedented step of posting artillery pieces on the border with Gaza, and practice-firing.

Mr Sharon told his cabinet ...

“there would be no restrictions regarding the use of all means to strike at the terrorists".

"We don't intend here to stage a one-time action, but intend to carry out a continued action, whose aim is to hurt the terrorists and not to let up"

Meanwhile on the West Bank the Israeli army carried out a massive sweep of arrests, targeting Hamas activists and political leaders throughout the West Bank.

Palestinian sources reported the arrests of as many as 230 activists including teachers, students, doctors, journalists and professionals in the West Bank regions of Hebron, Bethlehem, Ram Allah, Nablus and Tulkarim. Many of them candidates in the forthcoming elections.


Picture shows 40 day old baby in jured in attack on Al Akram school with missiles injuring 15 people.