IAF strikes Gaza smuggling tunnels after Qassam hits Negev
Israel strikes Gaza targets for second time, after Gaza militants fire two rockets in 36 hours; Hamas vows revenge over militant's death in earlier strike.
By Yanir Yagna Tags: Israel news Gaza Qassam Middle East peaceIsrael Air Force jets struck two smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip overnight Saturday, just hours after a Qassam rocket fired from the coastal enclave hit a public structure in the western Negev, causing damage.
 |
A barrage of four Qassam rockets fired by Hamas militants on January 6, 2009 |
| Photo by: Getty Images |
An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said the army views Gaza's Hamas rulers as the sole party responsible for the rocket attacks against Israel.
The 36-hour tit-for-tat began Friday, when a rocket fired by Gaza militants exploded in the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon.
The IAF struck three targets in Gaza Friday night, which Palestinian sources described as the heaviest assault since Operation Cast Lead, Israel's three-week assault on the Gaza Strip a year and a half ago.
A Hamas operative, a 40-year-old member of Hamas' military wing, was killed in an explosion near the Nuseirat refugee camp south of Gaza City in the center of the Hamas-controlled strip. Another 13 Palestinians were hurt.
Hamas has vowed revenge for the militant leader's death.
Palestinian militants then fired a Qassam rocket Saturday night, which hit the Sha'ar Hanegev regional council area in the Negev, just hours after the first IAF strike on Gaza.
According to the IDF spokesperson's office, the rocket damaged the structure's rooftop and destroyed most of the second floor of the building, which serves during the day as a daycare center for people with disabilities.
No injuries were reported in the attack.
IDF patrol units have been scanning the area for the rocket's remains.
- Print Page
- Send to a friend
- Comments
- Share
- Text Size +|-
-
This story is by:
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
...India has a lot to learn from Israel
I hope you all realize how stupid and out of control your forces look responding to "a barrage of four Qassams " when most Americans witness a barrage (hundreds) of Fourth of July rockets that fly higher into the sky on Independence Day and go on for an hour or so.... Get real and stop making a mountain out of a molehill. Israelis look so damn criminal ... Dutch
Most likely they have more, maybe the problem is with Hamas controlling Gaza and not the tunnels? Cast lead went unfinished and now we pay the price.
Israeli officials created the blockade of the Gaza Strip by their rejection of a free and fair election in 2006 which was certified by world leaders such as Jimmy Caret and they have gone on to target a whole civilian population (mostly children under 17yrs of age ) and their leaders by imprisoning them in an apartheid like system and denying them their essential freedoms and movement to interact with the outside world to conduct their internal & external affairs and to trade their goods and obtain essential services. Thus it is beyond time for the UN and others to acept this cruel and collective punishment of Gazans by the tyrants in Israel. The General Secretary should move immediately to revoke Israel's membership in the UN before people are in the streets condemning Israel and the UN for not taking direct measures to rein in the outlaws in Israel. They are such a lowly bunch of individuals picking on a defenseless population.... Dutch
it would seem, judiging by the anti israeli and anti jewish post backs, that Israel can do not right? haaretz continues to instigate anti israel bigotry clearly forgettng they beed us israelis to buy thier rag. i will never but this anti israel trash rag.
Whats the difference between using tunnels for smuggling and using ships? They can get fer more weapons in using ships.
The rockets are mostly domestic. The tunnels are to keep the prices for Mercedes and food down. Israel has not yet lifted the siege or implemented the "easing" it promised. The IDF didn't get the memo. Average is now 30% of what is needed instead of 25% of what is needed, in the absence of smuggling.
Israel was poised to begin direct talks with Syria, Tehran's puppets in Gaza provoked Operation Cast Lead. Now that that PA will be forced back to the table, watch for Round Two; the Ayatollahs see the need for another distraction. Hold onto your hats.
If just one lone rocket hit San Diego from Tijuana Mexico in the AM would you think there would be any safe place to drink some frozen margaritas on the beach by the time Happy Hour rolls around south of the border? Or do you think that the U.S. government and Mr. Obama would wait until 7999 more rockets hit them before taking some serious military action?
If Tijuana Mexico was surrounded by a giant wall manned by US soldiers who refused to let people or goods enter or leave like a giant ghetto, people would view the firing of a rocket differently then if it was fired from actual mexico
Wish we could do the same Don't forget there are 4 sides to Gaza and one of them includes Egypt if your answer is indeed"serious" about 1/4 of the 8000 Peace Loving Home Made with Iranian technology Rockets should be coming down into Egypt too They are also enforcing the embargo as many other European, Middle Eastern, Asian included Fatah but letting Israel take 100% of the blame when in actually things are run in a way different manner that much of might really shock you Berry of who has common interests and common enemies Very convient for many counties to shift all public responsibilities of the Gaza pocilies just on Israel while in reality you may need quite of few margaritas so your stomach could take what is really gong on
Aggravate the Israelis, have the Israelis do something stupid again like Operation Cast Lead, incite the furor of the international community against Israel for disproportional retaliation, disrupt the peace talks ... Hamas wins, Gazans lose.
These 'tit for tat' tactics at the direction of Barak are not working! This will go on, and on, and on until Barak is replaced with a real defense minister who will take significant action to defend Israel. This man is a two time loser, in Lebanon and again in Gaza. He fears propaganda passed off as ' world opinion' as much as he fears the enemy. Put someone as minister of defense who will do the job and do it right. Barak is a loser ! He is trying to be PM, FM and Defense Minister and cannot even perform the job for which he was chosen.
IDF patrol units are scanning the area for the rocket's remains."
It is people and forces outside the region who incite to violence and fule this conflict. Those who incite do that from sheltered far away places for reasons which have nothing to do with the peoples living in Israel/Palestine
For time being Gaza is not a part of the proposed state of Palestine. You can maybe call Gaza a self-governing part of PA or maybe self-governing territory of their own. The state of Palestine is still on the negotiating board.
Holding Hamas responsible for every itinerent wild hair coming out of Gaza - with air strikes against it - even while stating that the organization is NOT behind the attacks and is trying to keep others in check. Meanwhile, Israel takes out a few each time, ensuring that the cycle will continue.
Are you saying that if there is no retaliation, Gaza will not launch any more missiles? I have a nice bridge in Manhattan ...
and is actually trying to curtail these actions by other groups - which it concedes almost every time - then retaliatory strikes against Hamas are senseless and serve only to fuel its animosity and harden its stance towards Israel. Right now it's ceased it's own, and is trying to keep a lid rockets being fired by others. Yes Hamas controls Gaza, but no one can control the actions of everyone under their jurisdiction ALL of the time - not even Israel! So how much of this 'screwed-when-they-are/screwed-when-they're-not' do you think can go on before they decide there's no point to reining in their own, or anyone else's, rocket fire - or worse? But you see, the decision makers in Israel know exactly what they're doing, exactly which buttons they're pushing, and exactly what the likely result will end up being. And it's THAT which suits their purpose - no matter how many rockets land on Sderot, et al.
and is actually trying to curtail these actions by other groups - which Israel concedes almost every time - then retaliatory strikes against Hamas are senseless and serve only to fuel its animosity and harden its stance towards Israel. Right now it's ceased it's own, and is trying to keep a lid rockets being fired by others. Yes Hamas controls Gaza, but no one can control the actions of everyone under their jurisdiction ALL of the time - not even Israel! So how much of this 'screwed-when-they-are/screwed-when-they're-not' do you think can go on before they decide there's no point to reining in their own, or anyone else's, rocket fire - or worse? But you see, the decision makers in Israel know exactly what they're doing, exactly which buttons they're pushing, and exactly what the likely result will end up being. And it's THAT which suits their purpose - no matter how many rockets land on Sderot, et al.
The Hamas government of Gaza is responsible for stopping rockets to be sent into Israel.
No country limits the freedom of its neighbors only because these accumulate weapons. This is an Israeli pretext that had been adopted also by Egypt. The Gazans are trapped from all sides and theirs is a completely normal reaction. We and only we have the key to the solution. Unless we are not interested in it because we want to have a reason to destroy them slowly, but surely.
2. The Hamas charter shows how wrong you really are on what Hamas run Gaza is about.
... because Gaza is accumulating weapons. They are doing so because Gaza is USING weapons. Hamas has the key: renounce violence, honor past commitments, recognize Israel's right to exist. Oh, and it would not hurt to release Shalit and rewrite its charter.
Absolutely correct! Let's send them back to arabia so they can have the fresh start they desreve.
Because the only town in Egypt that's within range of their rocket fire is filled with their relatives and business partners - lol. You know Peter, you relly do lose perspective walking around with one eye closed.
Gaza is only a self-governing territory.
So what is your point?
hamas wants revenge because this idiot launcehed rockets and got himself killed for it. Too bad so sad. Go ahaead get revenge so teh IDF can take out some more of teh useless anal openings called hamas. Really bright lites those guys. Operation cast lead redux on its way.
Just read the newspaper, Hamas didn't fired the rocket, the IDF also confirmed. But for Israel it's a oppertunity to kill the Hamas leaders, even they kill hundreds of Pals more.
..and remove these miscreants from power. Don't they realize that Hamas has made an already horrible situation in the Gaza Strip much worse?!?!?!?! Not just vis-a-vis Israel, but also within Gaza (for example, the innumerable bans and prohibitions)? Hamas is clearly trying to sabotage the peace talks and in fact they have warned Abbas about that. How cynical and evil of them- if they don't care so much about Israeli lives, then perhaps they should care about the lives of innocent Gazans who will now risk their miserable lives as a result of their sheer stupidity. I just hope Israel does't overreact as this will lead to the collapse of the peace talks- ignore these Islamist delinquents and proceed on the path of peace along with Abbas.
Israel should not rise to the bait by over reacting.Any response should be'surgical' if at all.They are trying to provoke a fight so Israel canh be blamed for 'not wanting peace' or for disproportionate response'Why doesn't Israel get some similar(inaccurate)rockets and send 2 over for each one they send.Then WE canh claim that they are 'only inaccurate fireworks'!
Israel should hold her fire for some time . Can't you see their game ? They want to lure Israel,in order to keep the limelight away from Nasrallah: The Butcher of Lebanon & Hezbollah because they were implicated in the murder of Harriri. & want the world to focus their attention away from Lebanon;;
it's so hopeless, it ia happening always when there are so-called 'peacetalks' on the way. The Islamic world, world press and UN are dead silent but will react immediately when Israel is acting wrong in their vieuw. Shalom from Holland
Why does Israel tolerate their bs. I'd say a little Gaza fire bombing action would cut down on the rocket attacks - eventually. How many Palestinians die should be left up to Hamas. Unless, of course, the cowards would step out from behind the Palestinian women and children.
Are we witnessing the Second Gaza War? Perhaps. Israel cannot be stopped by anyone in such situations if they decided to launch a new war. It might be in invasion of Gaza or just sending the IDF to control everything there (I didn't say occupy again because it is still occupied, the difference is only that IDF is not operating among the neighborhoods). What is truly funny about all this is the last Gaza war, the siege, and the many funny things Israel did before. A fragile aggressive occupation with all this support and power cannot stop primitive, hand-made rockets from being launched against it. Even if these rockets were stopped, I am certain there will be another form of attacking Israel, Why? Because its an occupier and Pals are occupied people! Its common sense and its been like that all over human history such as Indians, Americans, and many others who have been occupied. Instead of threatening to cut ties or stop supports; I think the world should aspire for a true peace the gives Pals their rights back and end the occupation. Everyone, then, shall live in his/her own country in peace. Please do not complain about common sense!
We know what happend with the Indians, maybe Israel is acting so. But we are living 300 years later, people will never learn.
Poor family Shalit, poor ordinary people of Gaza. Do we all really need another round? Why?
Neither Hamas nor Likud care one whit about Shalit. This is about killing chances for negotiations. Somebody might expect something from negotiations. Can't have that.
They started the latest round and they want revenge...why should Israel lift there side of the blockade. Let egypt open their borders and let in everything.. I think the world has forgotten Gaza has 4 sides
If Palestinians really want peace they will get rid of Hamas, and Fatah too. There are just losers trying to line their own pockets.
they will get rid of Netanyahu and Lieberman and stop responding to a few idiots by slaughtering civilians again and again. The powerful ones can make peace, but radicalising more and more people by destroying their homes, families and hope of a better life just creates more militants.
Thats easy say, but I don't think the Palestinians want to stay slaves from Israel. They like to have freedom. It was Israel who killed the Fatah, it was Israel who took the future of the Palestinians. So it's normal the Palestinian choose the strongest group the Hamas. I don't say it was wise but the Palestinians didn't had other possiblities.
The people of Gaza better start getting another 1,400 body bags ready.
i'll be damned if i understand either side..
I think Israel likes to see more than 1,400 body bags. Thats why Israel has to get out of the Nato.
Turn another cheek ,Israel ,Britain does it all the time !
On Shabbat Hamas targets buildings likely to be unoccupied. The IDF continues with its turkey shoot
Are you now saying that they are accurate and Hamas can actually target an unoccupied building? For you the wind is blowing from the right or from the left or from the front or from the back......alll depends on which way you are facing. Right jack.
You can TARGET something, it doesn't mean you will actually hit it.
It is regrettable but it has to be remembered no one was hurt... every time the IDF bombs Gaza there seems to be "collateral damage" (killings) or attempts to justify such killings by labelling all Gazans "terrorists". The only reason people are upset about a building being scratched is because it is an Israeli building - many talkbackers seem to find it perfectly ok to destroy and disable Gazan people and their infrastructure as a matter of course.
Hamas hasn't fired any rockets ever since "Operation Cast Lead" ended, the Israeli military and political establishment admit that they are trying to get other factions to stop their firing too, and that they are still deterred and not interested in another large-scale conflict.. But people still act like Hamas is guilty every time something happens from Gaza. Wake up and smell the reality.
Don't believe everything you read from the IDF
Nahh...
Yes, Israel wants another war..distracts from a peace plan or settlement freeze..
Then the UN condemns Israel after calling for an investigation of only Israel
The UN hates Israel. So does every other country in the World. Even the US harbors hatred for Israel among its 305mil people ( God forgive us). With so much hatred in the world, why not just reclaim the land of your forefathers, expell the sojourners and be done with the whole unpleasant scenario? The furor will blow over in a few years and at least you will have security within your own borders.