Ashkelon: Qassam lands near beer factory

Rocket explodes in open area in Ashkelon's southern industrial zone, near Carlsberg beer factory; no injuries, damage reported. City’s mayor: Defense establishment must accept the fact that Ashkelon was and will continue to be a target for terror organizations

Shmulik Hadad|Published: 12.15.05 , 18:47

A Qassam rocket exploded Wednesday afternoon in an open area in Ashkelon's southern industrial zone, near the Carlsberg beer factory. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The rocket caused a loud explosion sound across the industrial zone, which is located only 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away from the city's residential area.

One of the factory workers told Ynet that "the rocket landed a few meters away from the factory's gate, on its outer side. We were alarmed, but everyone is okay, thank God."

Mayor Roni Mahatzri at Qassam landing site (Photo: Ran Yadi)

Police officials said that the rocket was relatively big compared to other rockets that were launched toward Israel recently. The rocket was located about half an hour after it landed, and its radius was approximately 115 millimeters (about 4.5 inches).

Lachish District sappers were dispatched to the area.

This is not the first time that Palestinians have targeted the southern industrial zone, but the incident was particularly rare. A Qassam rocket landed in the industrial zone two years ago, also in an open area.

After the blast was heard in the industrial zone, a number of factories in the area decided to evacuate their workers into shelters.

One of the workers said that "we heard a strong explosion. At first we thought it was an IDF operation in the Gaza Strip area, which we are sometimes able to hear, but then security guards came and told us that it was apparently a Qassam rocket. They asked us to enter reinforced rooms. After the sappers arrived, we continued to work as usual."

A number of months ago, the Home Front Command completed the installation of the Red Dawn alert system in the city of Ashkelon. At first, the plan was to install the system only in the southern part of the city, but following consultations with security officials it was decided to install it all over Ashkelon.

Ashkelon mayor: City will continue to be targeted

Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri was alerted to the area immediately after the Qassam landed by workers in the industrial zone, who called the municipality to report the incident.

"From my point of view, today's rocket is no different than the rocket that landed in the same area two years ago," Mahatzri said.

"But one must not take what happened here today lightly. The defense establishment must accept the fact that Ashkelon was and will continue to be a target for terror organizations," he added.

Many workers in the industrial zone complained that their working places were not protected. According to Mahatzri, Home Front Command officials told him that there was no need to fortify the industrial zone.

However, he added, "if the terror organizations' abilities are improved, we will work opposite the Home Front Command in order to fortify the area."

Mahatzri claimed that the Red Dawn alert system was apparently only partially installed and that its operation system has not yet been installed in the southern part of the industrial zone. This issue, he said, will also be raised in discussions with the Home Front Command.

Minister Yisrael Katz said in response to the Qassam that "Israel's deterring ability has failed miserably. A government that promised decisive retaliation following every shooting toward Israel or hurting Israeli citizens, in actuality fires at empty areas in response to such shooting and is endangering Israel's security."

"It is preferable for Gaza's rooftops to shake than for the residents of Sderot and Ashkelon to serve as firing targets with no effective retaliation," he added.

Earlier Wednesday, three Qassam rockets were fired at the western Negev. At least one landed close to a southern community. Two other rockets fell in open agricultural territory.