Closure imposed on West Bank, Gaza
IDF infuriated with ongoing Qassam rocket attacks on Israeli targets, but vows measured response; closure imposed on Palestinian areas; overnight, Air Force strikes rocket launching sites in Gaza Strip
The IDF has imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip effective Friday morning in response to the firing of Qassam rockets at Israel, following an assessment by political officials.
Palestinians will be allowed to go through crossings only in special humanitarian cases, but Gaza's Karni crossing will remain open to the transfer of goods.
Meanwhile, the Air Force struck 13 access roads to Qassam rocket launching sites in the northern Gaza Strip overnight. Palestinian sources said two people were hurt in the strikes.
An official in Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz’s office told Ynet the time has come for deeds, not talk.
“We won’t ignore this serious (rocket) offensive,” the official said. “The Israeli response to this unrestrained attack will come.”
The army said it would respond to the rocket barrage directed at Israeli targets starting Thursday afternoon, but at the same time, security officials admitted the response would be measured.
The IDF will not turn a blind eye to the spate of Qassam rockets that hit the Negev Thursday, but a wide scale operation in the Gaza Strip to halt attacks is not in the cards, security officials said.
Seven Qassams fell in Israel Thursday, with a rocket hitting a dairy farm in a southern Kibbutz and another exploding within meters of the Ashkelon industrial zone.
The IDF anticipated an escalation in Qassam attacks following the assassination of four members of the Popular Committees in an air strike on their explosive-laden car in the Gaza Strip. The army said the four were heading to the Karni border crossing to carry out a terror attack.
“It should be remembered that only yesterday the IDF executed a targeted assassination and operated against terror groups in several areas. Qassam attacks are a sort of Palestinian response,” a military source said.
“We cannot accept these attacks, and we will act accordingly,” the source added.
Qassam rocket near Ashkelon (Photo: Ran Yadi)
Sources in the defense minister’s Office told Ynet that the army is preparing an “unrestrained” response to the Qassam attacks.
'Israel has a duty to defend its citizens'
Tonight will certainly not be quiet in the Gaza Strip. Yet the real test will be after Israel’s planned response. If the Palestinians decide to play eye for eye and tooth for tooth, Gazans and Israeli citizens of southern communities should prepare for a serious escalation.
Security officials recommended the government delay the opening of a convoy passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which was supposed to be opened Thursday morning.
Under pressure from the United States, a deal was signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to open a convoy passage for passenger buses and trucks between Gaza and the West Bank.
“The State of Israel has a duty to defend its citizens, and it will do so in any way it chooses. Firing Qassams at civilian areas is unacceptable,” an official said, vowing that the IDF will take all necessary measures to halt the attacks.
Ronny Sofer contributed to this story
