General Ron Kitry's Remarks On The 28 March Strike

Summary Of The IDF Spokesperson, Brig. General Ron Kitry's Remarks On The 28th Of March At 20:00.

It is too early to assess the results of the strike. I can say, however, that we hit one target in Ramallah and four targets in the Gaza Strip. Among these targets were a weapons depot, a Force 17 installation, a training base of the Presidential Guard, and several armored vehicles. Our attack was a well-organized strike carried out by Israel Air Force attack helicopters against objectives belonging to Force 17/Presidential Guard.

We have hard evidence that Force 17 bears direct responsibility for the bloodshed, both by perpetrating and supporting terrorist attacks. The Palestinian Authority, which is directly responsible is for the Force, is thus responsible for the wounding of innocent civilians and the escalation of the situation.

This week there were 18 attempted terrorist attacks, of which four were "successful." Three people lost their lives and 47 were wounded. This price can not go overlooked. We are sending a message to Force 17, their superiors, and those responsible for them that we will not tolerate any more terrorist activities. We have the obligation to protect the safety and security of the citizens of Israel.

We shall decide upon the time, place, and certainly the means by which we will strike at terrorists and those responsible for terrorism. We are not conducting a drawn out campaign against the Palestinian Authority, and certainly not against the Palestinian people whose safety we are interested in protecting. However, whoever engages in terror and perpetrates terrorist activity will feel our long-arm as this evening has proven.

28 March 2001

Attack On Terrorist Targets This Evening In The West Bank And The Gaza Strip By Attack Helicopters

Israel Air Force attack helicopters attacked targets of "Force 17" and the "Palestinian Presidential Guard" in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip this evening, March 28th, 2001.

In Ramallah the Force 17 headquarter was attacked. In the Gaza Strip the following targets were attacked:
¨ * A Force 17 installation close to Jebalia.
¨ * A Force 17 weapons depot near Ansar Camp close to Gaza City.
¨ * A training camp of the Palestinian Presidential Guard and a Force 17 installation in the south of the Strip.
¨ * A Palestinian armored vehicle.

The IDF Spokesperson emphasizes that the action this evening is part of the IDF's initiated activity. Their purpose is to strike directly at those responsible for terrorism, following the recent days during which the Palestinian Authority was directly responsible for striking innocent citizens and for the escalation of the situation.

The IDF will not allow the harming of the citizens of the State of Israel, and the soldiers of the IDF, and will act with all means at its disposal in order to protect their wellbeing and security and to annihilate the terror.

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