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Photo: Amir Cohen
IDF on Gaza outskirts
Photo: Amir Cohen

IDF: No promise rockets will stop

IDF enters second day of operations in Gaza, as forces raid group of 15 gunmen in Beit Hanoun. Palestinians report 75 year-old man killed, seven family members hurt after shell hits their home. Meanwhile, army officials clarify that effect on Qassam abilities will only be felt in long-term

IDF Operation Autumn Clouds has entered into its second day in and around the city of Bein Hanoun in the northern Gaza strip, designated to search for known terrorists, weapons caches and stopping Qassam rocket fire on the communities of the western Negev and the city of Sderot.

 

Wednesday night IDF forces attacked a group of some 15 gunmen in the town of Beit Hanoun. Palestinian sources reported that a 75 year-old man was killed by the shooting. In another incident, seven family members have been lightly-to-moderately injured after an army shell hit their home. The Palestinians claim that the casualties were all unarmed.

 

During the first day of fighting the forces killed about 10 armed terrorists and injured scored more from the air and from the ground.

 

Sources within the IDF southern command clarified that they are planning to continue with the operation.

 

"We have no intentions to promise that all Qassam attacks from this area will stop completely, but we will continue to operate the same way we have been operating for long months in order to damage their entire rocket apparatus, including the launching sites and the operators themselves."

 

The operation is being conducted by Givati soldiers augmented by Golani troops, armored corps and engineers.

 

Wednesday during the evening hours, the IAF hit two terrorists who were identified trying to lay an explosive charge near the IDF forces operating in the area. The IDF has reported stiff resistance from the terrorists who fired from small arms, anti-tank missiles and explosive charges. Only towards the night hours the resistance died down, but IDF sources say that the terrorists have motivation to hit the forces in order to gain a psychological victory.

 


Beit Hanoun Wednesday (Photo: AFP)

 

During the first day of the operation, the forces unearthed many weapons caches, including night vision gear and weapons of different kinds. Three Palestinians which hid the weapons in their homes were taken in for interrogation by security forces.

 

The IDF expected the operation in Beit Hanoun to increase the number of Qassam attacks, and in fact on Wednesday seven rockets were fired at Sderot injuring a number of people and causing damage.

 

But estimates are that on the long term the Qassam infrastructure will be harmed. 

 

Peretz: 'Precise military initiatives'

On Wednesday, the Defense Minister Amir Peretz said the objective of the operation is to bring a significant drop in the number of Qassam attacks.

 

"Beit Hanoun and the surrounding areas have become a center from which fire is executed and therefore we are operating there. We have no intention to be led after terror groups, but to take precise military initiatives," Peretz said.

 

"The end of the Shalit case can lead to a breakthrough, which could lead to a revival of talks, which we all want," he said.

 

But Peretz refused to give details of the nature of negotiations to secure Shalit's release.

 

The IDF meanwhile is stressing the importance of maintaining the flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

 

Some 290 trucks carrying food staples and medicine entered the Gaza Strip from the Karni crossing over the last few days.

 

Some 400,000 liter of diesel fuel, 100,000 liters of benzene and 15 tons of gas entered the Gaza Strip over the same period.

 

Ali Waked contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.02.06, 01:00
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