November 4, 2007 (LPAC)--Ynetnews.com, the Internet version of the Israeli Yediot Aharanot newspaper, reported, yesterday, that, according to the Lebanese daily Al Akhbar, the U.S. has given the green light for an extensive Israeli incursion into Gaza. Diplomatic sources told Al Akhbar that "Washington's approval undermines the negotiations for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement ahead of the Annapolis peace conference." According to those same sources, Israel has relayed intelligence reports to Washington that explain the "pressing need" for an extensive incursion, in response to the "escalation of activity of Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip in order to put a stop to their unprecedented armament efforts." Defense Minister Ehud Barak has reportedly met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert several times in the past week in a bid to "reach an understanding regarding the date and scope of a Gaza invasion."

Barak was in Washington, two weeks ago, where he met with Dick Cheney and George Bush, among others. There were also reports that Barak met with Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who was in the U.S. at the same time. Ha'aretz reported on Oct. 22 that Jumblatt was going to ask Barak to use his influence in Washington to work toward bringing down the Damascus regime of Bashar Assad.