Israeli officials believed that the "limited" response to the
deadly suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on Monday would help preserve
the strong international front against Hamas.
In spite of holding the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
responsible for the deadliest terror attack in 20 months, Israeli
cabinet decided on Tuesday to refrain from launching an escalated
military operation against the Hamas-led Palestinian
government.
Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert blocked a proposal to declare
the PNA an "enemy entity", which would pave the way for direct
strikes against the Palestinian government. Until now, economic and
political boycotts have been the main tools against the Hamas-led
government.
But officials said Israel would take all possible steps it deems
necessary, including assassinating terrorists, to prevent further
attacks.
Some Israeli officials said the government is pleased with the
strong international front against Hamas and does not want to
jeopardize that through overwhelming military action.
After Monday's bombing which left nine Israelis dead,
international community has largely voiced condemnation against the
terror attack.
The United States and the European Union had cut off aid to the
Palestinian government because Hamas rejected their demands to
renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist.
Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the Asian country
will not make any new aid commitments to the PNA until the Hamas
government demonstrates its support for peace with Israel.
One senior Israeli official said on condition of anonymity that
it is not realistic to expect Israel to immediately carry out
large-scale air strikes as a knee-jerk response to Palestinian
violence, local Jerusalem Post reported.
"This doesn't mean you won't see more targeted killings and
other operational things," he was quoted as saying, "it has to be
done in an effective way that the whole international community
will understand."
Although Islamic Jihad, or Holy War, claimed responsibility for
Monday's attack and Hamas was not directly involved, its leaders
defended the attack as a self defense against Israeli occupation
and aggression.
Aides to Olmert said that he was well aware of the need to
maintain international support, especially as he prepares to carry
out a unilateral withdrawal from much of the West Bank.
Olmert reiterated that he would carry out the pullout if he
concludes there is no negotiating partner on the Palestinian
side.
(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2006)
