Qassam rocket (Archive photo)
Photo: Yehudit Mor
Navy ship fired at Gaza
Photo: IDF
4 rockets fired from Gaza
IDF activity against Qassam launchers intensifies, but Palestinians continue to fire rockets
Four Qassam rockets were fired at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip Saturday afternoon. Three rockets apparently landed in open areas near Zikim, while another one landed at sea.
Last night, the "Red Dawn" alert system detected the firing of three Qassam rockets from the northern Gaza Strip at the southern town of Sderot. The rockets apparently landed in open areas in the south of the town, but no damages or injuries were reported.
No injuries were reported in the barrage. The IDF responded to the latest attacks by shelling rocket launching sites.
Gaza Strip
Hanan Greenberg
IAF begins striking areas inside Gaza City following rocket fire; simultaneously, missile boats fire artillery rounds at Gaza Strip for the first time. Army officials hope operations will convey tough message to new Palestinian leadership
The Palestinian rocket attacks come amid an IDF operation initiated over the weekend and featuring boosted activity against Qassam cells by utilizing artillery forces as well as the Navy and Air Force.
A senior military officer characterized the army's activity as a "step up" in the face of massive rocket fire as well as the launching of a Katyusha rocket from Gaza during Election Day.
"We're not talking about the highest level of military operation the IDF can carry out, but at this time there's no intention to launch ground operations in the northern Strip," the officer said.
More than 350 shells fired
The new anti-Qassam operation, prepared by IDF Southern Command officials and approved by Army Chief Dan Halutz, would see the army attack any area used as a rocket launching site, even if Palestinian police officers are stationed nearby.
The army is also launching assaults across the Strip, as was the case overnight in an open area attack in Gaza City, meant to convey Israel's determination to operate against Qassam fire.
The senior officer noted that Israel has the legitimacy to boost its operations under the current state of affairs.
"The responsibility for people who get hurt during the operation lies only with the Palestinian Authority," he said.
Meanwhile, the IDF fired more than 350 shells at the Gaza Strip, both from the ground and from the sea, over the weekend.
