Qassam attack aftermath (Archive photo)
Photo: Tsafrir Aviov
Rockets give revelers a scare
Two Qassams fired from northern Gaza Strip; security chief: Rocket flew above our heads
Two Qassam rockets were fired at Israel Wednesday afternoon from the northern Gaza Strip, briefly interrupting Independence Day celebrations in the south of the country.
A woman who was in the area to visit her family suffered from anxiety after hearing the "Red Dawn" alert system and was treated by a Magen David Adom ambulance team.
No other injuries or damages were reported in the strike. The rockets were apparently fired from the Beit Hanoun area.
Security Chief Gil Ta'asa from the southern community of Netiv Ha'asara was celebrating Independence Day with his family and friends when he spotted the rocket flying above his head.
"We saw the fire and smoke and I realized it was flying in Sderot's direction," he said. "I quickly called security officers in Sderot in order to brief them…this is the first time we actually spot the firing of a Qassam rocket from the launching site."
"There were quite a few people outside with their families, but there was no panic," he said. "I think the Qassam fire did not hinder Independence celebrations here."
'Policy must change'
Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal said the southern town held all celebrations and ceremonies as planned despite the Qassam fire.
"As far as it depends on me, I ordered that all events be held as planned unless they tell me the situation is so grave that we decide to call off the events," he said. Moyal also expressed his hope that incoming Defense Minister Amir Peretz, a Sderot resident himself, will adopt a different approach in the face of the persistent Qassam fire.
"The policy must change. I'm not really optimistic because this government, as its predecessor, doesn't really intend to fight terror," the mayor said. "I heard that Amir Peretz intends to make Palestinian life easier and also fight terror. We very much hope he doesn't only adopt a part of this sentence."
