Home hit by Qassam in Sderot
Rocket lands in Sderot
Photo: AP
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Rockets rain down on Negev
Qassam rocket barrages continue for sixth consecutive day on southern communities; eleven rockets land since morning
Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip fired 11 Qassam rockets at the western Negev on Sunday.
Four rockets landed near the southern town of Sderot, one nearby a school in the town. Two rockets landed in open fields near the Sha'ar Hanegev kibbutzim, and two others landed in open fields near the Eshkol Regional Council.
Another rocket landed near the security fence. There were no reports of injuries or damages as a result of the attacks.
A total of 132 rockets have been launched towards Israel’s southern communities since the attacks began on Tuesday.
Sderot has suffered the majority of rockets fired from Gaza; 6,000 – 8,000 of its residents have reportedly left their homes for fear of the Qassams, although Sderot municipality spokesman, Yossi Pinchas-Cohen, said that 4,000 residents had left the town according to municipality records.
Dozens of local business owners and taxi drivers rallied in the town’s center on Sunday afternoon, armed with signs protesting the government’s failure to prevent the daily attacks.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert commented on the issue during Sunday’s cabinet meeting.
“The Hamas terror organization, which is part of the Palestinian government, has again proved to the world that it is a murderous terror organization,” Olmert said.
“Dozens of Hamas members have already been killed in our operations. They are paying and have yet to pay a very heavy price. I told the residents of Sderot on Thursday, ‘You are paying a heavy price, and it is the government’s job to remove the threat on you’,” the prime minister concluded.
