Rocket launching (Archives)
Photo: AP
Qassam lands in Eshkol; none injured
Rocket fired from Gaza Strip falls in open area in Eshkol Regional Council in western Negev, causing no damage or injuries
While the Hamas-Israel prisoner exchange deal for captive soldier Gilad Shalit continues to take up most of the headlines, rockets launched from the Gaza Strip continue to fall on Israel.
Friday morning Palestinian gunmen launched a Qassam rocket at the western Negev. The rocket landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council.
There were no reports of injury or damage in the incident.
Thursday evening a rocket fell near a kibbutz in Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, also causing no injuries or damage.
Meanwhile, Israel has been responding to such attacks by isolated strikes on Hamas targets, and mainly arms smuggling tunnels.
Wednesday night IAF aircraft struck two smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip, and the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said this was in response to rockets and mortar shells fired in Israel in recent days.
The military also said, "The IDF hold Hamas fully responsible for preserving the quiet in Israel's southern communities and the IDF will continue to respond severely to any attempt to disrupt it."
Since the end of Operation Cast Lead, almost 100 rockets and mortar shells have been fired on the western Negev.
Head of Eshkol Regional Council Haim Yalin told Ynet this week, "What difference does the number make?
"A sovereign country cannot allow anyone to fire at it. Meanwhile, we continue to run our daily lives in a state of insanity, and the Israeli government is ignoring what goes on over here. Apparently the Iranian centrifuges are more important."
