ISRACAST reported
the IDF would have to ‘pull out all the stops and find a high-tech
solution for detecting underground tunnels, after the Dec.12th
explosion killed five Israeli soldiers and wounded six others
in the Gaza Strip.
In an exclusive interview with David Essing, Deputy Defense
Minister Zeev Boim reveals that the IDF is on the brink of developing
an effective counter-measure.
Boim also says although the IDF will react to the current upsurge
in Palestinian terrorism, the Palestinian election is also a
factor. For her part, Israel is doing everything necessary to
help ensure a free and fair ballot on January 9th.
The IDF is going all out to find a counter-measure
for detecting explosives tunnels, like the one that blew up
the JVT position in the Gaza Strip. Deputy Defense Minister
Zeev Boim analyzes the new situation.
David Essing reports:
The ramifications are first to intensify our efforts to find
solutions to the Palestinian tunnels. There are two types: the
tunnels used to smuggle in weapons under the Philadelfi Corridor
and the explosives tunnels they use to blow up Israeli military
and civilian targets in the Gaza Strip. There are also operational
conclusions. Without going into details, we know from our intelligence,
there is a need to thin out personnel in positions and that
these fewer soldiers must be stationed in positions that are
structurally reinforced to withstand such attacks.
Question: But does the fact
that Israeli communities will be at risk, on the Israeli side
of the border after the withdrawal, make it even more crucial
to find an urgent solution to the tunnel threat?
BOIM: Let me make clear
that Israel will not leave the Philadelfi Corridor (the Israeli
security zone which separates Gaza From Egypt) until an effective
and responsible force is ready to take control. I very much
hope the Egyptians will agree to play such a role. But, yes
there is no doubt that an appropriate technical solution to
the tunnels is an urgent need. In recent years, we have sought
such a solution and we are examining numerous possibilities.
There are many suggestions about how to cope with the tunnels.
Many have come from both institutions and private individuals.
We examine every proposal and some have even been tested in
the field. I think we are on the verge of finding such a technical
solution. At least for detecting tunnels in the Philadelfi area,
which cross the international border between Egypt and the Gaza
Strip, and this will prevent the Palestinians from smuggling
in weapons.
Question: Are we now in a ‘twilight
zone’ before the Palestinian elections on January 9th because
Israel does not want to jeopardize the prospects of Muhmoud
Abbas? In other times, the IDF would have hit back more severely
than it has after the Rafah position was demolished.
BOIM: It’s impossible
to ignore the changes taking place since Arafat’s death. This
is indeed a sensitive period in the run- up to the Palestinian
election. Israel must and is doing two things: first, to do
as much as possible to guarantee that the Palestinian election
is free and fair without any interference or delays. We will
enable freedom of movement for the Palestinian population at
the time of the election and Israel will give the foreign monitors
the VIP treatment. Again, we’ll do all we can to facilitate
the Palestinian election. However, if anyone thinks we will
not act when necessary to protect our people from the terrorists,
he is mistaken.
Question: In a previous interview
with IsraCast, you spoke of Israel seeking a regional solution,
to help resolve the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Is for example,
this week’s trade deal with Egypt and the U.S., a part of this
approach?
BOIM: Yes, there is no
doubt that a new atmosphere is developing being Israel and the
Egyptians. There are various signs of this; the release of Azam
Azam was both symbolic and very important, both on the personal
and the national level. There are also the talks we are conducting
with the Egyptians on their filling a future role on helping
to impose law and order in the Gaza Strip. The new trade deal
with Egypt is another building block in the process of improving
relations, something that has been non-existent for a very long
time.
Summing up, I would say the cold peace treaty is warming up
and we hope to continue in this direction with the Egyptians.
Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim
