Military

DATE=05/08/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS (LONG)

NUMBER=2-289553

BYLINE= ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Israeli Army says it is poised to launch another major offensive against Palestinian areas, in the wake of the latest suicide bombing. The bomber detonated explosives in an Israeli pool hall, popular with teenagers, killing at least 14 people.

Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.

TEXT: Israeli Army spokesman Ron Kitrey says the military is preparing itself for an order from the government to launch a new assault inside Palestinian areas.

He was speaking in the aftermath of the suicide bombing in Rishon Lezion, south of Tel Aviv.

Mr. Kitrey says the next offensive is likely to be based on the model of Operation Defensive Shield, launched against the West Bank last month, in response to an earlier campaign of suicide bombings.

Mr. Kitrey says the army is prepared for "additional Defensive Shields".

He says the Israeli Army, in the last month, went after what he calls the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure and those planning suicide bombings.

He says the army's readiness to do so again needs no further trial - only an order from the political leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cut short his visit to Washington after learning of Tuesday's attack.

He is expected to return to Israel, late Wednesday, and immediately convene a meeting of his cabinet at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, to discuss Israel's response to the bombing.

Mr. Sharon is quoted in the Israeli media as telling U-S Vice President Dick Cheney Israel will have to act with strength.

Before Tuesday's bombing, the head of the Israeli Army, General Shaul Mofaz, said that, if Palestinian terror operations resume, then Israel might be forced to undertake an offensive in the Palestinian areas even bigger than Operation Defensive Shield.

(signed).

NEB / RD / WD