Negev residents: Give us compensation and we'll evacuate

Many residents in the western Negev communities recently said they want to leave the area, in view of continued rocket and mortar fire from the Gaza Strip. Community leaders have been waging a campaign in recent months to improve protection from the attacks. The Defense Ministry recently placed shelters near homes in the communities.

However, construction of a wall aimed at protecting against level fire (as opposed to steep-trajectory mortar and rocket fire) has not been completed, nor has equipment for the communities' fnirst-response teams or additional measures aimed at protecting public buildings been provided.

Three and a half months ago, shortly before the evacuation of Gaza, Dana Galkovich was killed by a mortar shell in Netiv Ha'asara, just outside the northern part of the Strip. Since then, the threat of mortar shells and Qassam rockets has grown ever more disturbing. More and more members of Netiv Ha'asara and are talking about leaving, but given the current security situation, it is obviously hard to sell homes.

"Let them give us compensation like they gave Nisanit and Elei Sinai, and we'll leave," one resident said recently.

Shula Margalit, whose home was hit by mortar on Wednesday, said her daughter wanted to move there. "I told her I won't agree. Every time she comes to visit, I ask the grandchildren to go to sleep in the security room. I'm afraid," she said.

Five people were lightly wounded Wednesday by morter shells fired at Netiv Ha'asara. The blasts cut off electricity at Netiv Ha'asara and at adjacent Kibbutz Yad Mordechai. One shell hit a vehicle, spraying a shrapnel on a young man standing nearby. Another shell made a direct hit on a home.

Qassam rockets fell on Kibbutz Yad Mordechai on Wednesday. The IDF responded with artillery fire directed at the launch sites in the northern Gaza Strip.

Community leaders have been waging a campaign in recent months to improve protective measures at Netiv Ha'asara. Recently, the Defense Ministry erected safe rooms near the houses.