Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday told ministers that he has ordered a tough military response to the Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza Strip.
On his part, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said he had directed the Israeli army to pursue a policy of intensive operations and "targeted killings" of Palestinian activists following the recent Qassam rocket fire. According to Mofaz, the Israeli army is also acting to prevent Palestinians from entering the areas from which the rockets were launched by using both artillery fire and aerial strikes, Haaretz reported.
The Israeli cabinet in its weekly meeting on Sunday decided to channel close to US$ 30 million to protect and safeguard Jewish settlements and military installations near the Gaza Strip. A few months ago, the government allocated US$45 million for the same purpose.
