Negev residents outraged over aid delivery to Strip

Heads of the Gaza vicinity communities were outraged Friday by Israel's decision to allow 40 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, despite the incessant rocket and mortar fire at the western Negev.

Dozens of mortar shells and one Qassam were fired at the area from the northern Gaza Strip in a number of barrages Thursday night. No injuries or damages were reported in any of the attacks.

Head of the Eshkol Regional Council Haim Yelin said that after such a night he had hoped that the border crossings would remain closed.

Gaza gunman firing a mortar shell (Archive photo: AP)

"I must say that I fail to understand the reasons behind continuing to deliver aid to those Palestinians for 'humanitarian ground'," he stated. "Why is the humanitarian need always one-sided? Why are there no humanitarian concerns towards us and a stop to the rocket fire?"

Ashkelon Deputy-Mayor Shimon Cohen said he was shocked to learn about the decision to open the crossings. "This is a failure on the national level. The government' treatment of us is simply humiliating," he stated.

However, head of the Ashkelon Coast regional Council Meir Farjun said that he had no problem with Israel sending food to Gaza in order to provide for the residents needs. "When they're not hungry they're less angry, and possibly fire fewer rockets.

"But the Hamas leadership must understand that these attacks come with a price, and this price should be painful. The price tag should be set now, once the crossings are closed again," he added.

Eldad: Prosecute defense minister for aiding enemy

According to Meir Yifrach, head of the Sdot Negev Regional Council, "It's unacceptable for us to help and assist them while they interrupt our lives. We should stick to the equation – when life is disrupted here – it should be disrupted there as well. It's time for the government to get its act together and decided to do something already."

Meanwhile, MK Arieh Eldad (Hatikva) requested Attorney General Menachem Mazuz on Friday to prosecute Defense Minister Ehud Barak for aiding the enemy at a time of war, following the defense minister's instructions to open the crossings.

Eldad noted that the aid was delivered while rockets continued to rain on western Negev communities from the Gaza Strip and said, "There is no other definition for the term 'aiding the enemy at a time of war' and anyone who does so must be prosecuted."

Shmulik Hadad and Amnon Meranda contributed to the report