Israel's military frustrated over 'restraint'

menewsline: For the first time, Israel's military has expressed frustration over what officers term the government's restraint in face of Palestinian missile strikes.

Senior officers have relayed their concern and frustration over the refusal by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to order a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. They said the Palestinians have been emboldened by Israel's failure to prevent the daily missile strikes from the Gaza Strip.

So far, the military said, Palestinian gunners have fired 60 Kassam-class, short-range missiles into Israel since April 1. Many of the missiles were aimed toward Israeli strategic facilities south of Ashkelon.

"There is a feeling of helplessness over the last period," Capt. Kobi Barel, a company commander, said. "We know how to deal with shooting and infiltration attacks. But when we see Kassams being fired, there is no response and this is frustrating. This is the current situation." Link