Dramatic drop in Qassam attacks
April recorded as quietest month for southern Israel in 2009, rocket launches down to 8 from over 80 in previous months. Meanwhile army confirms third airstrike this week against Palestinian smuggling tunnels in Rafah
The IDF struck weaponry smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip for the third time in a week on Wednesday. IAF aircraft attacked three tunnels along the Philadelphi Route in the late afternoon, near the border town of Rafah.
The army reported the targets were accurately hit.
This passing April has been the quietest month in regards to terror attacks against southern Israel since the completion of Operation Cast Lead in January.
In all the army recorded six Qassam rockets and two mortar shells launched against Israeli communities by Palestinian terror groups. This compared to 73 launches in March and 88 launches in February.
In April there were 12 attempts to attack IDF troops compared to 72 in March and 68 in February. Among the attempts in April are the two explosive devices detonated against IDF troops and two incidents of small arms fire towards soldiers.
The IDF further said that in the West Bank and Jerusalem there were 57 attacks, compared to 46 in March. Most of these incidents were Molotov cocktail attacks against Israeli vehicles.
The Shin Bet however warned of an increase in attempts to falsify medical documents allowing Palestinians to enter Israel from the Gaza Strip. In 2008 Israel issued over 13,700 entry permits for Gaza residents, but the army confirms that under Hamas rule a prosperous forgery industry has emerged.
Most are Palestinians seeking to enter Israel to find work, but the Shin Bet said the phenomenon required close monitoring as terror organizations are also trying to smuggle operatives out of Gaza and into Israel in this manner.
