Hamas behind Qassam attack on Sderot

IDF officials say rockets that struck two Sderot homes located not far from Peretz’s residence assembled by Hamas; incident marks first time terror group involved in rocket attacks on Israel since agreed-upon lull in violence was announced over a year ago

Hanan Greenberg
Published: 06.01.06, 20:03 / Israel News

IDF officials said the Qassam rockets that struck two Sderot homes located not far from Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s residence were assembled by Hamas.

The incident marked the first time Hamas was involved in rocket attacks on Israel since the agreed-upon lull in violence was announced over a year ago.

Close Call

Qassam lands near Peretz's home / Shmulik Hadad

(VIDEO) Four rockets fired from north Gaza early Wednesday toward western Negev; one directly hits Sderot house located near Defense Minister Peretz's home; second strikes roof of another house in city; several people suffer from shock, anxiety, but no major injuries reported. Homeowner: It’s a miracle that no one got hurt; Islamic Jihad claims responsibility

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The specific Hamas-made rockets are colored green and red, and have features that distinguish them from rockets manufactured by Islamic Jihad and other terror groups.

Hamas’ “Qassam” model rockets are more accurate, and according to the IDF this may be the reason for the direct hits on the Sderot homes.

Security establishment officials said “defiant” factors within Hamas were involved in Wednesday’s rocket attack, but added that they may not have taken part in the actual launching of the rockets but only transferred them to those who did.

'Hamas still involved in terror'

In the past, security officials said that despite the cease fire Hamas is working behind the scenes against Israel via terror attacks carried out by other groups, such as the Popular Resistance Committees. In 2005 Hamas was also involved in a series of shooting attacks in the West Bank; most notably in Beit Hagai and the Gush Etzion Junction, during which seven Israelis were killed.

Hamas was also behind the kidnapping and murder of Israeli citizen Sasson Nuriel.

Despite its commitment to the calm, Hamas has never denied its cooperation with other organizations, and Hamas Politburo chief Khaled Mashaal went as far as saying that “when we say we have abandoned the armed resistance – is cooperation with other organizations not resistance? Is providing a cover for the aid given to other groups not resistance?”

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