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Israel OKs Security Fence, Calls Up Troops NewsMax WiresJERUSALEM -- The Israeli military began calling up reservists Sunday to beef up its efforts to combat Palestinian suicide bombings, while the government approved the construction of a barricade between Israel and the West Bank, including a section of Jerusalem. Ministers in Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Cabinet also approved the establishment of a buffer zone near the Jordan Valley. The Jerusalem Post reported that Foreign Minister Shimon Peres was the lone dissenter, in the 25 to 1 vote by which the controversial security plan was approved. Peres told ministers the idea would pose diplomatic difficulties for Israel, since it amounts to incorporating more than 20 percent of the West Bank into Israel, the newspaper said. Construction of the fence began last week, but a decision on the rest of the proposed fence was delayed until the end of the month. Peres, who has been advocating peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, argued that Israel must offer Palestinians a political horizon and not just resort to military means. However, Sharon has demanded "a complete cessation of terror, violence and incitement" before peace talks can resume. In a speech to the Jewish Agency Assembly in Jerusalem, Sharon called for "a complete change in the Palestinian Authority, real reform, [and] a different [Palestinian] Authority. "We must stand with determination on these conditions," the prime minister said. "Only in this way can we achieve peace in the region in which we live." Reserve Brigade Summoned Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said one reserve brigade is being summoned. The brigade will go through a week of training before the soldiers will be used to back up forces searching the West Bank for Palestinian militants. The new deployment came as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat accused Israel of trying to take over civil matters in the cities and towns occupied in the latest operation. Israeli troops continue to occupy many parts of Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya and Tul Karem, a government statement said. IDF forces re-entered the West Bank last week after 33 Israelis were killed and more than 90 wounded in a pair of suicide bombings and a shooting in the Itamar settlement. The statement said the military presence in Palestinian cities, "Disrupts and makes it more difficult to launch attacks, and allows for deepening the exposure and destruction of terror infrastructure." The Cabinet also approved leaving IDF forces inside Palestinian cities for "as long as will be needed." In the West Bank town of Tul Karem, a Palestinian man was killed and five of his family members were wounded Sunday when Israeli troops opened fire on an apartment building, hospital officials said. Officials said an Israeli tanked fired at a three-story apartment building, killing the man who was watching from the balcony of his apartment. There were also reports that a 10-year-old Palestinian boy was killed when troops opened fire on Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The IDF claimed the location was being used to fire on soldiers guarding Netzarim. In Halhoul village near Hebron, security forces arrested five Palestinian policemen, and confiscated files and documents. Copyright 2002 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
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