Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 19, 2008 Cheshvan 21, 5769 | | Israel Time: 07:37 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  145
Last update - 18:53 18/11/2008
Israeli lightly hurt as Qassam hits yard of Sderot home
By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid and Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondents and News Agencies
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, Hamas 

A Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip struck a residential yard in the southern town of Sderot on Sunday, leaving one person with light shrapnel wounds. Several other people were treated for shock.

This was the third rocket to hit the Negev on Sunday, as violence between Israel and the coastal territory continued for a second week. Some 17 rockets and mortar shells hit southern Israel over the weekend, including four advanced Grad-type missiles.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday warned Gaza militants against further breaches of a five-month truce, speaking shortly after the Israel Air Force killed four gunmen who were firing mortars into Israel from the coastal territory.
Advertisement
"We will not tolerate the price tag that terrorist organizations are attempting to set. We will strike anyone who tries to violate the truce," Olmert told ministers at Sunday's cabinet meeting.

The prime minister said he had told the Israel Defense Forces to present plans for various operations against Hamas' regime in Gaza, but gave no timeframe.

"We are not eager for battle but we do not fear it," Olmert said.

During the session, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai decried government inaction in the face of cross-border violence.

"Whoever believes in the truce is burying their head in the sand," he said. "Instead of [us] destroying Hamas' headquarters from the air, the truce is only being used by Hamas to rearm. To my great regret, the government is not reaching decisions."

Yishai added that he could not understand why Israel was continuing to supply Gaza with electricity and water amid the ongoing rocket fire.

He made the comments a few hours after Gaza militants fired two rockets into Israel.

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz also called for a change of policy regarding Gaza's Hamas rulers.

"Hamas is growing stronger and we are losing our deterrence," said Mofaz, a former defense minister and IDF chief.

Earlier Sunday, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman urged Olmert to fire Defense Minister Ehud Barak for abstaining from more aggressive action against Gaza militants due to what he branded political considerations.

"Barak is engaging in a political struggle at the expense of Israeli citizens' security," Lieberman told Israel Radio.

The right-wing politician argued that Israel needs to regain control over the Philadelphi Route along the Gaza-Sinai border to stem the smuggling of arms by Hamas into the coastal territory.

He added: "Every second Barak continues in his position, this is the surrendering of Israel's security. This is also a surrender of our deterrence. Time after time he says: We are nearing a broad operation [in Gaza], but nothing happens."

PRC says militants killed in strike were launching rockets at Israel

The militants killed in the airstrike were from a small Hamas-allied group known as the Popular Resistance Committees. A spokesman for the group calling himself Abu Attaya said the four were firing mortars into Israel when they were killed.

The IDF said the airstrike targeted a rocket squad in northern Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum threatened retaliation. "Today's crime will not pass without punishment," he said.

Earlier in the day, Palestinians launched two rockets into Israel, hitting near a community on the Israel-Gaza border. No one was hurt, the military said.

According to the military's count, Palestinians have sent more than 170 rockets and mortars flying into Israel since the violence resumed nearly two weeks ago. IDF troops have killed 15 militants, and two more died in unclear circumstances. No civilians have been killed on either side.

Meanwhile, Israel is keeping its crossings into Gaza shut because of the ongoing rocket fire, barring badly needed goods and fuel from entering the impoverished territory. United Nations food supplies in Gaza have been depleted and the fuel cutoff has led to power shortages.

IDF spokesman Peter Lerner said officials would decide later Sunday whether to reopen them. International pressure to crack open the passages has been mounting.

J'lem sources: Coming days crucial in knowing if truce can be salvaged

Government sources have said the next few days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire with Hamas may be salvaged.

At the same time, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned against any rash action that may destabilize the situation.

"Blowing things out of proportion is not a state policy," Barak said. "This situation is intolerable. The defense establishment must act decisively against Hamas and other extremists in the Gaza Strip," Barak noted during a speech in Netanya.

Four of the 17 rockets fired at Israel over the weekend were Grads, which have a greater range and payload than Qassams.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was acting in response to attacks by Israel Defense Forces against Palestinian militants and following the death of a Popular Resistance Committee gunman in an explosion in northern Gaza early Friday.

Related articles:
  • Livni: We'll use force to protect our citizens from Gaza attacks
  • Ex-Shin Bet official: Most Hamas leaders want to maintain short-term truce
  • Olmert: Israel will not tolerate Gaza rocket fire
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Iran arrests blogger
    Hossein Derakhshan admitted to spying for Israel, claims Iranian Web site.
    Peace through sport
    Jewish and Arab youngsters are finding common ground through Hand in Hand.
      1.   BARAK`S STATE POLICY - Same as at Camp David 02:27  |  Barry S. Roffman 16/11/08
      2.   out of proportion 03:09  |  ron 16/11/08
      3.   Barak ibn Lebonon 03:35  |  zznhl 16/11/08
      4.   Ceasefire shaky?? Katyushas on Ashkelon = No Ceasefire 03:56  |  Tom 16/11/08
      5.   Barak still talks about Peace, but.... 05:00  |  Fortune 16/11/08
      6.   Barak is Defense Minister 07:22  |  Mark Lincoln 16/11/08
      7.   English comprehension 09:13  |  lily 16/11/08
      8.   Tow Qassans strike Negev 09:22  |  DT 16/11/08
      9.   Fortune cookie from Brooklyn HA-HA 09:47  |  Ari ben Yisrael 16/11/08
      10.   A total of 14 rockets on Friday: 4 rockets hit Ashkelon 09:56  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/11/08
      11.   Barak 09:58  |  Ralph 16/11/08
      12.   keep the drones flying 10:10  |  real vision 16/11/08
      13.   You may consider 10:38  |  robert Haymond 16/11/08
      14.   margie in ta 10 11:22  |  potobac 16/11/08
      15.   Truce reality 11:22  |  Joe 16/11/08
      16.   the Barak philosophy 11:49  |  ron 16/11/08
      17.   Injustice continues 12:00  |  KSH 16/11/08
      18.   Don`t worry. Israel looks to its own interest 12:36  |  Natallie Durson 16/11/08
      19.   Barak was great at obeying orders,commander`s position is not for 12:43  |  Absolute Sweden 16/11/08
      20.   to margie 12:51  |  rm 16/11/08
      21.   Israel`s BIGGEST Mistakes...... 13:21  |  Dagma 16/11/08
      22.   It`s too late Olmert......for these Statements... 13:38  |  Dolly 16/11/08
      23.   #21 to rm - Tunneling 13:52  |  Urani Diot 16/11/08
      24.   Olmert... What is your story tomorrow? Stop talking and 13:53  |  Ben 16/11/08
      25.   to rm 13:54  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/11/08
      26.   #25 Margie from SA and when will the illegal Settlement 14:27  |  Labhras 16/11/08
      27.   Gaza truce 14:28  |  Ralph 16/11/08
      28.   1 KINGS 11:39 14:35  |  alfred youngberg 16/11/08
      29.   violates 14:44  |  colin 16/11/08
      30.   land for peace destroys deterrence too 14:54  |  Avi 16/11/08
      31.   To KSH # 17 - Gazans reap as they sow..... 14:55  |  Dolly 16/11/08
      32.   Absolute 15:09  |  Jari 16/11/08
      33.   And what should it be, Natallie? Israel to look your interest? 15:26  |  Israeil Citizen 16/11/08
      34.   If they fire mortars or missiles, they have to pay. 15:29  |  Stephen. 16/11/08
      35.   The Situation Is Back To Where It Was Before The Truce 15:55  |  Jeff Northridge 16/11/08
      36.   Israel; fire qassams and we will tolerate that; but Grads no no! 15:59  |  r 16/11/08
      37.   what are the terms of this truce where was it signed 16:11  |  victor hardman 16/11/08
      38.   what part of dont dig tunnels into Israel dont you understand? 16:12  |  Dan 16/11/08
      39.   What part of dont shoot rockets into Israel dont you understand? 16:16  |  Dan 16/11/08
      40.   #10 Good eveing Ms. Margie 16:17  |  John Allen 16/11/08
      41.   #11 People deserve the government they 16:21  |  John Allen 16/11/08
      42.   34 Stephen, you are mistaken .... 16:27  |  Dutch 16/11/08
      43.   Tough talk from a PM who has failed to protect his nation 16:27  |  Proud Israeli 16/11/08
      44.   Hamas` Time Is Coming 16:28  |  Bill Foonman 16/11/08
      45.   #14 potobac. It isn`t working. 16:30  |  John Allen 16/11/08
      46.   Troops Into Gaza 16:30  |  Ron 16/11/08
      47.   Labhras # 26 You`re In The Wrong Entity 16:35  |  Jeff Northridge 16/11/08
      48.   Olmert, please, talk less and do more, much more! 16:37  |  Oren 16/11/08
      49.   #17 KSH. I have you profiled. 16:44  |  John Allen 16/11/08
      50.   Olmert` waging state terrorism against a traumatized population 16:45  |  Dutch 16/11/08
      51.   #26 Labhras in Ireland 16:58  |  John Allen 16/11/08
      52.   The `Crime` of killing people while shooting mortars? 17:01  |  Jon 16/11/08
      53.   Lieberman is right 17:10  |  Brod 16/11/08
      54.   Welcome to Israel 17:12  |  jc 16/11/08
      55.   We`ll strike back" 17:14  |  Ze`ev 16/11/08
      56.   #50 doris and alice should concentrate on the us a 17:29  |  victor hardman 16/11/08
      57.   Strike the IDF/ IAF 17:41  |  Dav 16/11/08
      58.   Dutch 17:43  |  lady from USA 16/11/08
      59.   Stop the rockets on Israeli territory! 17:54  |  Mario Sala 16/11/08
      60.   Lieberman is correct, Barak needs to be retired for a long time 17:56  |  Shepherd 16/11/08
      61.   Ok everybody line up at the fence........ 18:01  |  rob 16/11/08
      62.   A Hudna is not the solution 18:02  |  Tzfonit 16/11/08
      63.   Barak you are in a position over your head, resign now 18:03  |  Livin In Rishon 16/11/08
      64.   The tunnel - No other options? 18:05  |  zaz 16/11/08
      65.   Actually Israel and the Gaza-fighters 18:06  |  rm 16/11/08
      66.   Dutch # 42 The Root Cause 18:07  |  Jeff Northridge 16/11/08
      67.   To Dutch @ 42 - Reason for rockets and qassams 18:35  |  Natasha 16/11/08
      68.   Dutch the dullard 18:37  |  Linichka 16/11/08
      69.   #42.Dutch....? 18:47  |  Stephen. 16/11/08
      70.   dutch..sounding better... 18:53  |  strange 16/11/08
      71.   Not enough Israelis pay the real price of the occupation 18:53  |  John 16/11/08
      72.   lady from usa...they have tunnelvision..a joke 18:56  |  strange 16/11/08
      73.   Potobac`s payback 18:58  |  SDHD 16/11/08
      74.   potobac 18:59  |  strange 16/11/08
      75.   To Dutch # 42 - "When someone fires at you.... 19:01  |  Dagma[second time] 16/11/08
      76.   Barak 170 rockets being fired into Israel is called war 19:09  |  Kipperraes 16/11/08
      77.   Margie 19:13  |  Guido 16/11/08
      78.   Too late Olmert - the die is cast, you are OUT! 19:14  |  Dagma 16/11/08
      79.   Dutch # 50 Those Are The Wages Of War 19:17  |  Jeff Northridge 16/11/08
      80.   #26 Jeff N ---On the late shift today Jeff. 19:19  |  Labhras 16/11/08
      81.   Sharia Court STEALS Jewish Property in Hebron. Israel REFUSES to 19:26  |  Linda Rivera 16/11/08
      82.   When was Barak Appointed Defense Minister for PA Muslims? 19:29  |  Linda Rivera 16/11/08
      83.   What Did The Israeli Leadership Think When It OK`d The Incursion 19:35  |  chet 16/11/08
      84.   Guido asks on what grounds I say that there was a tunnel being 19:44  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/11/08
      85.   Guido and facts 19:46  |  SDHD 16/11/08
      86.   haaretz semantics 19:51  |  Arie 16/11/08
      87.   Response to #59 Dutch 19:52  |  Shepherd 16/11/08
      88.   Olmert` waging state terrorism against a traumatized population 19:53  |  Dutch 16/11/08
      89.   Hamas waging state terror against traumatized population 20:09  |  double dutch 16/11/08
      90.   linda rivera63 20:11  |  strange 16/11/08
      91.   dutch # 50 thats what happens to you when you act like animals 20:13  |  terrornator 16/11/08
      92.   I have ben saying since day one of this truce 20:13  |  Labhras 16/11/08
      93.   re 70 dutch..that was not written by him i`m sure 20:15  |  strange 16/11/08
      94.   potobac 14 20:20  |  ChanahS 16/11/08
      95.   rm 20 - cause and effect. 20:21  |  ChanahS 16/11/08
      96.   LABHRAS TO JEFF: REMARKABLE 20:22  |  Brant 16/11/08
      97.   Did Anyone Read This???? 20:25  |  Eli 16/11/08
      98.   qassams 20:36  |  rm 16/11/08
      99.   Allow in no "aid" to Gaza unless 25% goes to Israeli victims 20:37  |  Dr. L. Brnd 16/11/08
      100.   Margie 20:45  |  Guido 16/11/08
      101.   Here`s An Idea 20:48  |  Yosemite 16/11/08
      102.   LABHRAS (#26) Just yesterday you gave us wonderful advise 20:50  |  Gil 16/11/08
      103.   LABHRAS (#26) Just yesterday you gave us wonderful advise 20:51  |  Gil 16/11/08
      104.   Maaybe Israel should be moving in Gaza instead of West Bank 20:51  |  A1 16/11/08
      105.   Too little inheritance! 20:52  |  Gemma Menigatti 16/11/08
      106.   oh my God! 20:59  |  curious george 16/11/08
      107.   Guido`s facts 21:11  |  SDHD 16/11/08
      108.   Don`t leak the element of surprise, don`t telegragh the punch! 21:11  |  Akiva P 16/11/08
      109.   #96 Brad ditto 21:23  |  Labhras 16/11/08
      110.   Its probably fair to say Hamas is laughing at Olmert 21:32  |  PETER SM 16/11/08
      111.   Truce?? 21:53  |  Ralph 16/11/08
      112.   Stephen, Re Hamas caring for their people 21:57  |  Dutch 16/11/08
      113.   DUTCH (#112) And what targets would they be? 23:03  |  Gil 16/11/08
      114.   Dutch - Hamas doesn`t care, neither do you 23:07  |  * BEN JABO 16/11/08
      115.   112 Dutch 23:07  |  Brad 16/11/08
      116.   DORIS Hamas cares for their people as human shields 23:19  |  PETER SM 16/11/08
      117.   Dutch # 112 _ Kindly Explain The Following; 23:37  |  Eli 16/11/08
      118.   Tzfonit. #62 your terms 23:38  |  Roo 16/11/08
      119.   Dutch #112 00:09  |  Jasper 17/11/08
      120.   Olmert Statement is Hollow , is only for ears to hear . 00:50  |  Joseph.E 17/11/08
      121.   A challenge to Peter Sm make one critism about Israel 01:21  |  Labhras 17/11/08
      122.   Barak deliberately broke the ceasefire 02:15  |  Abe 17/11/08
      123.   Cruelty As Doctrine Explains This Occupation 02:36  |  Gray 17/11/08
      124.   gray 02:47  |  strange 17/11/08
      125.   #90 strange - DON`T LIE 02:54  |  Linda Rivera 17/11/08
      126.   Jordan 80% of Palestine 03:01  |  Great White North 17/11/08
      127.   Natalie & Dutch- Terrorist Tools 03:34  |  Barry 17/11/08
      128.   Labhras #92 We can`t wait for Israel`s conscience to kick in... 03:54  |  Gray 17/11/08
      129.   I am 55 years old 04:21  |  Akiva P 17/11/08
      130.   The Challenge of Labhras #121 04:30  |  Brad 17/11/08
      131.   The Challenge of Labhras #121 (continued) 04:32  |  Brad 17/11/08
      132.   PEACE 06:17  |  Peace seeker 17/11/08
      133.   Brad; Speaking of parasites (#131) a challenge for you 06:27  |  Gray 17/11/08
      134.   #128 gray must be thinking of korea and vietnam in this post of h 06:44  |  victor hardman 17/11/08
      135.   Brad ; Clearification (Haaretz, please post) 08:33  |  Gray 17/11/08
      136.   GRAY from Virginia (#128) Actually it is 4.6 to 1 09:34  |  Gil 17/11/08
      137.   GRAY from Virginia (#128) Actually it is 4.6 to 1 09:35  |  Gil 17/11/08
      138.   GRAY from Virginia (#128) Actually it is 4.6 to 1 09:51  |  Gil 17/11/08
      139.   GRAY from Virginia (#128) Actually it is 4.6 to 1 10:20  |  Gil 17/11/08
      140.   128 gray, i am in agreement... 13:52  |  Dutch 17/11/08
      141.   Gil; Repressive Regimes Want Silence (U.N. Says 40 to 1 16:08  |  Gray 17/11/08
      142.   Gil; Repressive Regimes Want Silence (U.N. Says 40 to 1 17:17  |  Gray 17/11/08
      143.   Dutch; You can count on it.... 17:38  |  Gray 17/11/08
      144.   Gray "Great American Hero" 16:31  |  * BEN JABO 18/11/08
      145.   143 I get sick to my stomach every time I hear of their killing 01:15  |  Dutch 19/11/08
     Read & React
    MI Chief: U.S. can halt Iran nukes via dialogue
    Responses: 112
    Report: Abbas asked Olmert to free Barghouti as goodwill gesture
    Responses: 78
    Fayyad: Settlement building will destroy the peace process
    Responses: 88
    Peres: Syria knows benefits of peace deal with Israel
    Responses: 70


    More Headlines
    02:28 Peres: Obama 'very impressed' by Arab League peace plan
    00:09 Settler rabbi: State of Israel is an enemy of the people
    01:45 Hamas: We're ready to fight Israel after cease-fire
    02:45 Slain mobster's son: We'll send my father's killers to heaven
    03:51 Israel worried that U.K. pressure will harm exports to Europe
    02:09 Jewish Agency resolutions ire liberals, conservatives
    02:59 Peres' speech in U.K. disrupted by anti-Israel protesters
    03:28 UN's Ban tells Olmert Gaza Strip situation deteriorating
    06:21 Israel may cede control of Lebanon village to UN
    03:58 ANALYSIS / Israel's elections: Mr. 'Has he changed?' versus Ms. 'Is she fit?'
    00:52 U.S. paper: War on terror must include war on terrorists' cash
    06:48 'Palestinian banks are better than Israeli banks'
    06:16 Send laid-off high-tech pros to teach science, Bar-On to propose
    06:31 Patients wrongly charged for 'experimental' treatments
    06:34 Organized crime suspected in bomb at Ramle police station
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dan Boutique Jerusalem
    New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online!
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved