Olmert, Livni, Barak to meet for discussion on Gaza

       Foreign minister presses for more decisive response to rocket attacks while defense minister advocates maintaining restraint, but both positions are best viewed through prism of upcoming elections. And so again, no dramatic decisions expected from the prime minister this time around either. This ahead of several key events on the horizon - the approaching expiration of the truce with Gaza's armed groups on December 19th, the possible elections in the Palestinian Authority on January 9th and the inauguration of the Obama Administration on January 20th. Olmert and Livni both support an Israeli response of any scope in response to the incessant projectile attacks on Israel's southern communities. Barak, however, keen to maintain the lull, objects to any escalation on the IDF's part. But despite the given Israeli interest in the truce, the sheer volume of the attacks – over 200 Qassams and mortar shells have been fired into the western Negev over the past month – necessitate the discussion of military action. Livni, who called the meeting, is demanding an Israeli response to every rocket or shell fired from Gaza. "Fire must be answered with fire," she said. (07,12)