Israel halts targeted killing of Palestinians

[Scurrilous]

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/1/26/latest/20978Israelhal&sec=latest

<snip>

"Israel has stopped targeting Palestinian militants for death, according to Israeli security officials, fulfilling a key Palestinian demand for a truce to end four years of violence.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel has informed the Palestinians of their decision. It came after generals from the two sides met Tuesday to plan deployment of Palestinian police in central and southern Gaza, to prevent militants from attacking Israelis.

Since he took office earlier this month, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been negotiating with militant groups about a truce declaration. In return, the militants are demanding that Israel stop its military operations and halt its killing of militant leaders."

<snip>

"Israel has killed dozens of suspected Palestinian militants in targeted raids during four years of conflict, many in helicopter missile strikes as well as bombings and ambushes.
Israel defended the practice by saying that it was preventing further attacks by militants already guilty of planning and initiating violence. Human rights groups criticized the practice as summary execution without trial, and Palestinians charged that Israel was killing its leaders.

Many bystanders have also been killed in attacks aimed at militant leaders."

[Violet_Crumble]

1. There's so much coyness in this whole thing...

'The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity'... Okay, why can't the Israeli govt just knock off the coy act and say its made this decision? This thing's like the ceasefire you have when yr not having a ceasefire. But the shying away from making concrete, public statements doesn't make a lot of sense to me. What negative repercussions would there be on Israel if it were to just come out and make a statement saying it won't target militants if they don't target Israelis? Possibly there's some reason for it, but I'm just not seeing it...

Violet...

[Scurrilous]

2. Story already changing:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1503&ncid=1312&e=15&u=/afp/20050126/ts_afp/mideastunresttruce_050126073732

Israel to stop targeted killing in 'calm' sectors

<snip>

"The Israeli army will stop its targetted killings of Palestinian militants in areas where Palestinian security forces operate effectively, a source close to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said.

"We will not launch any liquidation operations in the area where the Palestinian police can ensure calm and security by preveniting attacks by terrorist groups," the official said.


"On the other hand, the Israeli army will continue to do everything possible to intercept anyone who is regarded as a ticking bomb, who is on the verge of carrying out an attacks if the Palestinians do nothing to arrest them," he added."