Israeli cabinet calls for more actions in Gaza

Israeli ministers called on Sunday to take urgent actions to check the incessant rocket attack from the Gaza Strip and mulled seizing control of the Philadelphi Route lying between the Gaza-Egypt border to stem an alleged flow of arms.

During a government meeting on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz surveyed the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert examined the possibility of convening the security cabinet this week to discuss Israel's response to the continued escalation of violence and chaos in the Palestinian territories.

Vice Premier Shimon Peres said that the situation in Gaza was very bad.

"We gave Gaza to the Palestinians, we let them take care of their own problems out of good will, and they tempt fate and bring an end to their country and their government," Peres told the cabinet.

Trade, Industry and Labor Minister Eli Yishai from Shas claimed that Israel "must find a formula to take Philadelphi over again," referring to the 11.6-km long buffer zone route along the Gaza- Egyptian border.

Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog from Labor Party said that "there is no doubt the situation in Gaza is getting worse and requires significant and precise attention from Israel."

Minister for Pensioners Raffi Eitan said that Israel should reclaim control of the Philadelphi Route. He said Israel should find a solution to arms smuggling from Egypt but warned against recapture of Gaza.

"I believe we need to recapture the Philadelphi route. I think we need to deal with it in a pinpoint manner and not occupy it anew," he said.

Transportation Minister and former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz also spoke at the Sunday meeting and said that urgent decisions regarding Gaza needed to be made.

Israeli security sources expressed grave concerns recently on the growing smuggling activities between Egypt and the Gaza Strip through use of tunnels.

More than 20 tons of explosives and approximately 30 advanced anti-tank missiles were estimated to have been brought into the Gaza.

Hamas was also trying to upgrade the radius of its homemade Qassam rockets in hope that it would be able to hit targets 10 to 15 km away, according to Israeli security sources.

Last week, in its first and extensive operation along the Philadelphi Route since its disengagement in last summer, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops uncovered seven tunnels used to smuggle weapons into Gaza.

Source: Xinhua