Qassam rocket (archives)
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
Despite Hamas declaration, Qassam hits Negev region
Rocket fired about two days after terror groups in Gaza agree to halt cross-border fire lands in open area near Negev kibbutz. Official: We knew agreement wouldn't mark end to attacks
A Qassam rocket landed in Israel's Negev region Monday evening, about 48 hours after Hamas declared that terror groups in Gaza had reached an agreement to halt rocket attacks on Israel.
The rocket landed in an open area near a kibbutz located within Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council limits, but caused no injury or damage.
At around 6:50 pm the "Color Red" alert sounded in Israeli communities located near the Gaza Strip. Locals reported hearing a massive explosion.
"I did not think (the Hamas declaration) marked the end of the story," said Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council head Alon Schuster. "Israel is satisfied with the fact that (the rocket attacks) have not resulted in a major disaster, and in the meantime the government is continuing to deal with Gilad Shalit's release and maybe we'll bomb another (weapons smuggling) tunnel in Gaza.
"It is true that the situation in the south vis-à-vis fortification has significantly improved, and the scope of the rocket fire is not that of 2008, but the attacks are very troubling," he said.
During a visit to Sderot on Monday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, "Calm has prevailed in the region," since Operation Cast Lead, but added that, nevertheless, the IDF "has its finger on the trigger."
Late Friday night, just hours before Hamas' declaration, a rocket fired from Gaza landed in an open area in the Negev region. No injuries or damage were reported.
In response, Israeli aircraft attacked a number of targets in central and northern Gaza Saturday night, including two Hamas structures used for manufacturing weapons. Palestinian medial officials reported that five people had been injured.
