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Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the defense establishment Tuesday to examine the implications of temporarily cutting the Gaza Strip off from electricity, in response to the ongoing Qassam rocket fire at southern Israel. The defense minister ordered an examination of "the operational and legal aspects of steps designed to limit Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip."The call to cut off water, electricity,gas and fuel to the Strip is seen as an alternative-or, if unsuccessful,a prelude-to a broad IDF incursion into northern Gaza and perhaps the Philadelphi Route in the south.Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to convene his security cabinet on Wednesday to discuss the continuing Qassam shelling of Sderot and other western Negev communities.On Tuesday afternoon, a Qassam rocket struck an open area in the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for launching seven rockets at the western Negev on Monday, one of which struck near a day care center in the southern town of Sderot. There were no injuries, but 12 children were treated for shock. Following the attack, the Sderot Parents Committee decided to keep children home from all of the city's schools until further notice. According to Barak's office, the defense minister also decided to extend an order issued by his predecessor Amir Peretz, declaring a "special situation" along the border with Gaza. Barak decided the time is not yet ripe to revoke the order, which will be in effect for the coming 48 hours and gives the Israel Defense Forces wide authority to run civilian affairs based on security concerns. After 48 hours, a longer extension of the order will be brought to the government for approval, before eventually being brought to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as well as the Knesset plenum for approval. In addition to granting the IDF the power to issue instructions to the education and health system as well as other essential services, the order also allows for special compensation to be paid to victims of Qassam fire.The order entitles the security establishment to issue any order necessary for protecting lives and property....To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah...
