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Shin Bet chief: Hamas rockets can hit outskirts of Be'er Sheva
By Barak Ravid, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff , Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, IDF 

Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin said Sunday that Hamas is capable of firing rockets that can strike targets as distant from Gaza as the outskirts of the Negev capital of Be'er Sheva.

He told a meeting of the cabinet that rockets could also hit Kiryat Gat and Ashdod, cities which thus far were seen as beyond range. Hamas' armed wing used the last six months of relative calm to improve its medium and long-range rockets and mortars, he said.

"We believe that if we strike at significant assets, they will respond with longer-range fire," Diskin said.
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Hamas officials, meanwhile, are not ruling out a renewal of suicide bombings in Israel. Ayman Taha, a Hamas representative in Gaza, told Haaretz that under the current conditions, no cease-fire is in effect whatsoever. "Rocket fire is in the hands of the military wing. It will decide how to react," he said. "Resistance must continue in every way and by every means, as long as the occupation continues."

In the course of the cabinet meeting, a number of ministers took Defense Minister Ehud Barak to task for what they termed the failure of his policy of relative restraint in the face of continued rocket fire into Israel from Gaza.

Barak told the cabinet that if Israel wants to retake the Strip, a broad offensive would be needed. But he said that there was no magic formula by which, in one blow, quiet would be restored and Hamas taken apart.

According to Diskin, Hamas has lifted its reins from other armed organizations, and had resumed firing on its own.

"Make no mistake, Hamas is interested in continuing the truce, but wants to improve its terms. It wants us to lift the siege [on Hamas-ruled Gaza], stop [IDF] attacks, and extend the truce to include Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]," Diskin said.

The is no effective mediator between Israel and the Palestinian side, he said. The Egyptians are sitting on the fence, and there's a lack of trust between Hamas and Egypt, he continued, adding that were Hamas to find itself in a situation in which it needed Egyptian mediation, the Egyptians will again be players.

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      1.   Palestinians have the right to elect their governments. 14:54  |  Livni 21/12/08
      2.   We Told You So 15:13  |  Yishai kohen 21/12/08
      3.   i think 16:18  |  resident 21/12/08
      4.   i agree 16:52  |  a 21/12/08
      5.   This government of idiots should move to Sderot 16:59  |  IW 21/12/08
      6.   What occupation do they talk of? 17:35  |  Allon 21/12/08
      7.   #1 - Livni 18:07  |  MichaelF 21/12/08
      8.   Yes, Palestinians have the right to elect their government 18:17  |  Elihu 21/12/08
      9.   Rocket Fire 18:54  |  Leon 21/12/08
      10.   RE: Palestinians have the right to elect their governments. 19:24  |  Lee 21/12/08
      11.   Can you imagine... 19:42  |  Neither can I 21/12/08
      12.   In what world are youliving, Allon 20:04  |  Arnie 21/12/08
      13.   HAMAS ROCKETS 20:32  |  Roberto 21/12/08
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      16.   noose 21:05  |  Yaacob 21/12/08
      17.   #6 "occupation" 22:54  |  Mike 21/12/08
      18.   Hit Their Cities Israel, and NOW 00:18  |  Dav Lev 22/12/08
      19.   to # 1_ palis have right? 00:51  |  Arie 22/12/08
      20.   Iran Missiles can also hit Israel . 01:33  |  Joseph.E 22/12/08
      21.   Victorious Israel 02:59  |  COUCOUCOUCOU 22/12/08
      22.   rockets hit ber sheva 04:04  |  Dofek nashim 22/12/08
      23.   End Terrorism, Invade Gaza 08:50  |  Baruch Gold 22/12/08
      24.   Rockets can hit outskirts of everywhere. 09:26  |  elless 22/12/08
      25.   New elections 09:51  |  Enrico 22/12/08
      26.   ROCKETS CAN HIT OUTSKIRTS OF BEYROUTH AND AMMAN. 09:58  |  FO 22/12/08
      27.   In what world are youliving, Allon #2 09:59  |  Enrico 22/12/08
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