TEL AVIV, May 13, 2007, (WAFA)- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz will ask the cabinet on Sunday for more leeway in engaging hostile forces and renewing the policy of assassinating in the Gaza Strip, Haaretz reported Sunday.

It added that the Israeli cabinet's Sunday discussion of the situation in the Gaza Strip will include ways of countering the firing of Qassam rockets into Israel. The ministers will also review reports concerning arms smuggling into the Strip along the border with Egypt and the consolidation of Hamas' military power.

"The ministers will hear presentations by intelligence and security personnel on the internal situation in Gaza and on various plans of action prepared by the IDF. Foreign Ministry officials are expected to present the diplomatic ramifications of the various plans of action and proposed retaliatory measures, Haaretz added.

Currently, the IOF is permitted to engage targets directly involved in the firing of rockets. The IOF is now requesting permission to engage targets regardless of their direct involvement.

Additionally, the IOF is seeking to station troops deeper inside the Strip, but only around the fence separating it from Israel. This is aimed at thwarting attempts to lay roadside bombs near the fence itself and to foil the Palestinian attempts to dig smuggling tunnels.

M.H.(10:10 P)(07:10 GMT) "