The head of Israel’s security service has said there is no security
reason for continuing construction of Israel’s barrier through the West
Bank.
Shin Bet chief Yuval
Diskin told a parliamentary committee that Israel had enough
capabilities to prevent attacks from the Palestinian territory.
Since building began years ago, Israel has maintained that it is a security measure to keep out attackers.
Palestinians reject this, seeing it as a land grab.
The UN has criticised Israel, citing an advisory opinion by the
International Court of Justice that parts of the barrier built inside
Palestinian territory in the West Bank – 90% of the route – are
contrary to international law.
Gaza attacks
Meanwhile, Israeli police say a rocket fired by Palestinian militants
in Gaza has landed in the town of Sderot, causing damage but no
casualties.
Several people were treated for shock after the rocket struck the backyard of a house.
It was one of very few rockets launched from Gaza in recent weeks.
Israeli security officials have said the Hamas movement, which controls
Gaza, is trying to maintain a truce so it can re-arm following Israel’s
offensive earlier this year.
Later, Israeli forces were reported to have bombed an
area on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, hours after the
Sderot attack.
It was apparently targeted at tunnels which Israel says are used to smuggle weapons into Gaza.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8058609.stm
Published: 2009/05/19 21:11:46 GMT
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