The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has developed a tiny bulldozer for combat operations inside Palestinian cities, according to Bamahaneh, an Israeli military weekly. The tiny, olive-coloured machine, called "Lioness", is designed for rumbling down narrow roads and paths in the closer quarters of Palestinian cities but the main innovation, besides its small size, is a firing post for the driver. In previous operations, Israeli forces have sent full-size bulldozers ahead of ground troops, causing considerable damage to buildings.
Since September 2000, at least 4,170 Palestinian homes in the Palestinian territories have been demolished by the Israeli army. In many cases, the land is then illegally annexed and new Israeli settlements are constructed, in what Israelis call "housing projects".
In related news, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed that the Israeli government is refusing to publish a database containing the full details of the Israeli settlements and outposts on Palestinian land. In response to a High Court of Justice petition on the matter, the Defense Ministry has argued that publication would "harm the state security and Israel's foreign relations." American president George W. Bush is supposed to visit Israel this week, where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is reportedly planning to "assure" him that he is "committed to dismantling illegal settlement outposts".
In related news, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed that the Israeli government is refusing to publish a database containing the full details of the Israeli settlements and outposts on Palestinian land. In response to a High Court of Justice petition on the matter, the Defense Ministry has argued that publication would "harm the state security and Israel's foreign relations." American president George W. Bush is supposed to visit Israel this week, where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is reportedly planning to "assure" him that he is "committed to dismantling illegal settlement outposts".
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