"At this time there are a number of groups in Gaza that are challenging Hamas,
which is acting with restraint," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said Thursday after a Qassam rocket fired from the coastal enclave killed a foreign worker in the Israeli community of Netiv Ha'asara.
"Regardless of which group claims responsibility for the Qassam fire, Israel
holds Hamas accountable for anything that happens on the ground because it rules Gaza," Vilnai said.
| Deadly Attack |
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| Man killed in Qassam attack / Shmulik Hadad |
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Rocket fired from Gaza hits Israeli territory for third time in last 24 hours, killing Thai foreign worker in Netiv Ha'asara greenhouse. Ansar al-Suna Brigades claim responsibility for attack |
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"Israel is not interested in a military confrontation, but will not allow attacks on its citizens. Hamas must prevent any and all attacks on Israel to avoid a deterioration of the situation," he said.
The al-Qaeda affiliated Ansar al-Suna Brigades claimed responsibility for Thursday's deadly rocket attack.
An IDF official said, "We are talking about a number of jihadist organizations that include some former Hamas men who are disgruntled by the Islamist group's current policy. These groups are looking to ignite the region."
Another senior army officer also said Hamas was responsible for the rocket fire and would suffer the consequences.
Qassam in Netiv Ha'asara greenhouse (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov)
The IDF is expected to retaliate with a heavy hand to Thursday's attack. Hamas marks in Gaza will apparently be targeted as part of the Israeli response.
Army officials said that since war with Israel ended a little over a year ago, Hamas has refrained from taking part in any hostile activity against the Jewish state and has focused instead on strengthening its hold on Gaza and rearming itself ahead of another possible confrontation with Israel.
"Not only is Hamas not engaging in terror activity, it is working to thwart terror acts by other groups as well, particularly those acts that will surely result in a harsh Israeli response, but it is not always successful," a senior IDF officer said.
The army estimates that the relative calm in the Gaza area will be maintained despite the Qassam attack and that Hamas will act with greater resolve to rein in the Strip's terror groups.
"During Operation Cast Lead, Hamas
lost many of its assets and operatives," a top army officer said, "Hamas is well-aware of the IDF's ability to hurt it even more severely, and therefore it is in the group's interest to restore calm as soon as possible."
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