Israel to Launch 'Lethal' Strikes Against Palestinian Assailants: Sharon's Aide

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 21, 2002

Israel to Launch 'Lethal' Strikes Against Palestinian Assailants: Sharon's Aide

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's spokesman Ra'anan Gissin said on Wednesday that Israel will launch "lethal" strikes against those Palestinians who "carry out terrorist activities."

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's spokesman Ra'anan Gissin said on Wednesday that Israel will launch "lethal" strikes against those Palestinians who "carry out terrorist activities."

Gissin said that Israel has not changed its policy. "We are sticking to the policy of not hurting (Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat."

"We're not going to escalate the situation and not allow the Palestinians to escalate the situation," he said.

He said, however, that Israel is to take a new course of action and use "counter guerrilla warfare" tactics against those who engage in "terrorist activities" and will strike them "with impunity".

The spokesman defended the massive Israeli reprisal attacks on Palestinian targets early Wednesday morning following the killing of six Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint west of the West Bank city of Ramallah, saying they were only a response to Palestinian "open warfare."

The Israeli raids have resulted in the death of 18 Palestinians.

Gissin was speaking after the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday that Sharon has approved "a new action plan" in dealing with the conflict with Palestinians at the political- security cabinet.

Sharon, who has been under great pressure for having failed to bring the Israelis peace and security as he had promised during his 11 months in power, said Wednesday at the security meeting that he will not lead his nation into war.

Palestinian officials Wednesday urged the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent session on the upsurging violence in the Middle East.

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