5 rockets fired at western Negev
No injuries reported, but fire breaks out in wheat field near Sderot. On Thursday night, IDF strikes number of buildings used by Hamas across Gaza Strip. Aides to Olmert say Israel will intensify assault against terror groups ahead of G8 summit for fear of pressure by international community
There were no reports of injuries, but one of the rockets started a fire in a wheat field near Sderot.
"Israel will continue to operate against Hamas' terror. They will not control the situation, we will control the situation. We still haven't exhausted most of the targets that have been approved by the security cabinet," an aide to Olmert said Thursday evening.
Israel will step up attacks against Hamas over the next 10 days for fear that world powers meeting at the G8 summit in Berlin next week will press it to end its latest assault on the Islamic group.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will also attend the summit to discuss the escalation in the relations between Israel and the Palestinians. Sources in Jerusalem estimated that this meeting may lead to an international demand that both sides lay down their weapons.
On Thursday night, the IDF struck a number of buildings across the Gaza Strip, including a building used by Hamas near the home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh at the Shati refugee camp, as well as buildings in Khan Younis, Rafah and Jabalya. A money changer's office in the northern Strip was also attacked.
Meanwhile, the international community has begun expressing its discomfort over Israel's operations, in spite of the broad US support given to most of them.
On Thursday, the UN envoy to the region slammed the detentions conducted by Israel, saying he was troubled over the arrests of senior officials, including the Palestinian education minister, a Hamas member.
