Qassam in Sderot
צילום: אלברט גבאי, "דין וחשבון" שדרות
PRC spokesman: Sderot almost fully evacuated months ago
Minister Dichter's comment on relocation of Negev towns' residents proof of Qassam attacks' efficiency in 'creating a balance of terror and deterrence against the Zionist enemy,' Abu Mujahid tells Ynet. Adds: Extensive IDF operation in Gaza will result in hundreds of Israeli casualties
A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) on Saturday warned Sderot's residents of additional Qassam attacks and urged them to "leave town."
In response to Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter's statement according to which twenty percent of the western Negev town's residents have already relocated as a result of the incessant rocket fire, Abu Mujahid said "this is not the first time the Israelis have admitted the fact that Sderot was almost fully evacuated a few months ago."
He added that Dichter's comment was proof of the Qassam rockets' efficiency in "creating a balance of terror and deterrence against the Zionist enemy.
"The rockets have proven to be an effective tool employed by the Palestinians to respond to Israel's war crimes," he said. "The resistance will eventually prevail."
During his tour of Sderot on Saturday, Dichter said "the residents have harsh feelings, because they believe the end of the Qassams is not in sight."
According to the PRC spokesman, the group has shown that it is capable of firing rockets "regardless of how many (Israeli) helicopters, jets or drones are hovering above.
"We launch (rockets) wherever and whenever we choose, and the mass exodus from Sderot is proof of the Qassams' effectiveness," he said.
Ynet: The intensified rocket fire seems to indicate that the PRC is attempting to lure Israel into launching a large-scale ground operation in Gaza, despite Israel's disengagement from the Strip in 2005.
Abu Mujahid: As for the second part of your question, this is a blatant lie. Israel continues to control the crossings, and (Israel Air Force) planes are continuously flying over Gaza; the IDF raids are continuing, and the Strip is under siege. In this respect, Gaza is still occupied (by Israel). I have heard commentators saying that we want to drag Israel into an extensive operation in Gaza to ease tensions between Hamas and Fatah, but this is false. We are not looking to achieve unity at the expense of our own people's blood.
"We are getting bored with the Israeli threats of a large operation in Gaza," the PRC spokesman added. "It is clear to everyone that such a large-scale operation would result in hundreds of Israeli casualties. The enemy understands that it won't leave before the Strip becomes a graveyard for its soldiers.
"Unlike the Israelis, every shahid (martyr) on our side only fuels the resistance," Abu Mujahid said.
