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Last update - 04:35 26/05/2008 Ashdod residents unfazed by report of rising Hamas threat By Fadi Eyadat Tags: Ashdod, security, Qassam  The report by Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin at the cabinet meeting Sunday, stating that Hamas has the capability to launch rockets at Ashdod and Kiryat Gat, did not surprise people in that area. "It's to be expected. We knew in the end that they would reach Ashdod, too," said local resident Avi Dvir. Dvir was at the Mei Ami beach with his family and sister, who was on a visit from Holland. "Of course, I'm worried about the lives of my four children, but there's not too much we can do. We're not going to leave town, but the government has to make some decisions," Dvir added. "It is going on everywhere in the country. First Sderot, then Ashkelon and now Ashdod." Advertisement Ashdod's population of approximately 230,000 lives in impressive apartment houses and its shopping centers are bustling. Mayor Zvi Zilker noted that the city has some 80 so-called strategic facilities - including a power station, oil refineries and the port. "One successful rocket strike at the port will destroy all the imported and exported merchandise there," Zilker said. The mayor added, however, that the city is ready for emergencies. Indeed, according to the municipality's head of security, Colonel (res.) Aryeh Itah, most local homes have a reinforced room, and "about 56 of the city's 70 shelters are ready for residents, and the others are in good condition." Itah said evacuation plans have been drawn up, and schools and rescue services are prepared for emergencies, but he admitted the city did not have an early-warning system against rockets. Leon Friedland, owner of the Integral, a downtown restaurant, said he went into debt after serving in the reserves during the Second Lebanon War. "I had just opened the restaurant and I'm the only cook. It took me a year to get out from under. If there's another war, I'm selling everything and leaving," declared Friedland, who has a four-year-old daughter. "We'll go somewhere quiet. If the government doesn't do something to stop the rockets, I won't wait until they hit my house." Dvir's sister Esther, who has lived abroad for 25 years, said she is in favor of a "strong" military operation in Gaza. "My vacation is ruined," she said. "I don't understand how people can live this way in fear. There's nothing like this in Holland." The family asked to have a smiling group picture taken at their table on the beach at sunset. "Send this picture to [Prime Minister] Olmert," said Esther, "and tell him we want to keep enjoying ourselves." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nuclear allegation Jimmy Carter says Israel has arsenal of 150 nuclear weapons. On penalty of death Rightist MK Eldad says those who give away Israeli land should get death penalty.   1.   The rockets on Israeli territory cannot be tolerated. 09:16  |  Jean Van Daem 26/05/08   2.   Ashdod and Kiryat Gat 11:09  |  Dror 26/05/08   3.   ONLY UNTIL THIS GOVERNMENT GOES.. 08:53  |  MJ 27/05/08

Read & React Carter says Israel has 150 nuclear weapons Responses: 502 Sources: Israel, Hezbollah strike prisoner swap deal Responses: 79 U.S. professor gives Israeli prize money to Palestinian university Responses: 174 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to hand over 91.5% of W. Bank Responses: 216 Analysis / Price of quiet in Lebanon is Hezbollah in power Responses: 56 More Headlines 09:25 Key witness Talansky begins deposition in Olmert case 09:27 J'lem sources say Israel and Hezbollah strike prisoner swap deal 08:48 Analysis / Nasrallah preparing for Kuntar's homecoming 06:00 Israeli source: PA security forces have improved dramatically in West Bank 09:17 'Tootsie' director Sydney Pollack dies of cancer at 73 02:52 Monument to gay victims of the Nazis to be unveiled in Berlin 08:46 Barack Obama says he wouldn't promise Ahmadinejad a meeting 22:20 Defense officials: Anti-rocket system to be ready to test this year 02:46 Abducted soldiers' families skeptical about Lebanese reports of swap deal 02:47 Arab children nearly 3 times more likely to die in accident 05:48 IAEA: Iran still holding back information about nuclear research 05:56 Justice minister blasts 'publicity hungry' Supreme Court Previous Editions Select Day 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may

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