Israel declares all-out war on Hamas, threatens Arafat

‘‘Arafat is a very major obstacle for (Palestinian Prime Minister) Mahmoud Abbas and for the whole political process,’’ he said. ‘‘We made a historic mistake by not expelling him two years ago but we are going to address this issue in the short-term, without doubt before end of the year,’’ he added.

Mofaz said the government had to ‘‘find the right moment’’ before making such a move without damaging the more moderate Abbas. Arafat has been effectively confined to his headquarters in Ramallah by the Israeli Army for the past 20 months. Mofaz told Cabinet colleagues yesterday the security establishment had declared ‘‘an all-out war against Hamas and other terrorist elements, including continuous strikes at its leaders’’, a government statement said.

Chief of Army Staff, General Moshe Yaalon, was cited by the radio as saying the Army was ready to spring into action if given the order to launch a ‘‘largescale operation’’.

Mofaz confirmed today that Israel was ready to ‘‘increase the pressure’’ against Hamas after six air strikes in 13 days against the radical Islamic group in Gaza.

Mofaz, previously Army chief, has called several times in the past for Arafat to be expelled but he has been overruled by PM Ariel Sharon, who feared an international backlash if Israel deported the veteran Palestinian leader. Palestinian officials were not immediately available to comment on Mofaz’s remarks.

‘‘Arafat never wanted an agreement and all he wants is to continue the conflict and bleed the Israelis. I believe he has to disappear from the stage of history,’’ Mofaz said.