Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 31, 2008 Adar2 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 18:57 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

IDF soldiers near the Gaza Strip. (David Bachar) Last update - 09:50 30/03/2008 IDF increases Gaza ground ops in face of heavier rocket fire By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Islamic Jihad, Hamas  The Israel Defense Forces has been broadening its ground operations in Gaza in response to the increase in rocket fire on Israel since Wednesday. During the past three days, two Palestinian gunmen were killed in IDF operations in the Strip, and at least 10 Qassam rockets and 25 mortars were fired at Israel. On Friday, a rocket struck a kibbutz in the western Negev, and the shrapnel hit a kindergarten. No one was injured because the kindergarten teacher rushed the children into the reinforced area when the Color Red missile warning siren sounded. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of rockets fired since Wednesday. Most were fired by Islamic Jihad, but smaller groups, like the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, are also involved. Hamas is not believed to be involved. Advertisement Defense sources say there are several reasons for Islamic Jihad's increased aggression. This includes pressure from within the group, whose militants have seen no action for several weeks. This also serves Islamic Jihad in maintaining its claim to being at the forefront of the "resistance" against Israel, while Hamas is urging calm. Small-scale operations Over the past week, the IDF resumed small-scale ground operations in Gaza - up to battalion-level operations, normally in areas that are no more than one or two kilometers from the border fence. On Thursday night, after the Palestinians fired light weapons several times at farmers in the fields of Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, a ground force entered the area, and a Hamas gunman was killed in the exchange of fire. There were no Israeli casualties. On Friday night, an armed Palestinian was identified in northern Gaza, and a unit went into the Strip, engaged the gunman and killed him. Security sources said that the policy of restraint is a political decision and the focus of the operations is to intercept gunmen or militants firing rockets. Related articles: Israeli defense sources: Hamas wants to maintain Gaza quiet 2 Qassams hit Israel as Egypt hosts Hamas, Jihad for truce talks Hamas gets Iranian plans for improved Qassams Bookmark to del.icio.us   My land, my country Israeli Arabs mark 32nd Land Day in demonstrations across the country. One voice on Israel It's hard to find differences in U.S. candidates' promises on peace process.   1.   Blind Symmetry 05:55  |  Steve 30/03/08   2.   of course hamas involved. only a fool would not know that. 07:26  |  ralph 30/03/08   3.   Fatted Quassam Fire at Israel 07:33  |  Zev 30/03/08   4.   Israeli operations have had no effect upon Qassam launches 07:35  |  Natallie Durson 30/03/08   5.   thanks for enlightening us once again steve 08:09  |  RM 30/03/08   6.   Replace ?peace? with strength and determination. 09:01  |  Jean Van Daem 30/03/08   7.   # 1 Amen Steve 09:09  |  Adrian de Klerk 30/03/08   8.   For Adrian de Klerk # 7 10:47  |  Clickfool 30/03/08   9.   Natallie Durson operations 10:59  |  KUTW 30/03/08   10.   "Hamas not believed to be involved" 11:02  |  KUTW 30/03/08   11.   For KUTW # 9 11:44  |  Clickfool 30/03/08   12.   11. Clickfool 12:26  |  KUTW 30/03/08   13.   #8 Wrong again clickfool 13:09  |  Adrian de Klerk 30/03/08   14.   #8 Clickfool the Village Idiot 13:53  |  leo 30/03/08   15.   For Adrian de Klerk # 13 14:18  |  Clickfool 30/03/08   16.   Theyre all terrorists, so should be eliminated. 15:04  |  Stephen 30/03/08   17.   #15 Clickfool - lets try the opposite 22:39  |  Adrian de Klerk 30/03/08

Today Online Settlers' council: We'll build with or without gov't okay Responses: 118 Yishai: Israel must negotiate with Hamas over Shalit release Responses: 86 Editorial: Peace talks, even on Jerusalem, must be secret Responses: 28 MK Swaid: Demolition of Arab homes will lead to an explosion Responses: 28 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Can McCain get a boost from the new dovish Jewish lobby? More Headlines 18:48 Palestinian killed during stabbing attempt near West Bank settlement 18:20 PM to Shas: I'll authorize construction in Arab areas around Jerusalem 16:57 Rice: Israeli-PA talks on right track, peace deal possible in 2009 14:22 Barak: If Gaza calm continues, we'll mull easing border control 16:30 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 14:37 Meshal: Shalit still alive; Yishai: We need swap talks with Hamas 18:52 Rights group demands gov't stop demolishing Bedouin homes 12:42 Once a week, the gift of human dignity 15:02 Third of Israelis so poor they must forgo some essential foods 17:39 Mazuz rejects call to indict Netanyahu over London spending spree 14:25 Cash-strapped Foreign Min. can't celebrate 60th anniversary abroad 14:57 For sale: Tel Aviv's most expensive flat, a steal at $34 million 01:29 Police: Bnei Brak has by far the highest rate of sexual offenses Previous Editions Select Day 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar

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