Barak at Sapir College
Photo: Avi Rokach
Roni Yechiah
Reproduction: Yisrael Yosef
"A solution to the Qassams will be found faster than what most people believe," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday night during a meeting with the heads of the western Negev communities at Sapir College, where 47-year-old Roni Yechiah found his death earlier in a rocket attack.
Deadly Qassam Strike
Ynet reporters
Over 40 rockets fired from Gaza on Wednesday, hitting factories, homes and a hospital. Sapir College Student Union who lost peer slam prime minister for failing to stop attacks while Meretz party calls for dialogue with Hamas. Olmert, still in Japan, briefed by defense minister on situation
Yechiah was the 11th casualty of the incessant Qassam rocket fire from Gaza.
"This is a difficult day; we have one casualty and it is not easy at all," Barak said.
During the meeting explosions resulting from the IDF strikes on Gaza, which came in retaliation to Wednesday's multiple Qassam attacks on Israel, could be heard.
Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin told the defense minister that the government must act with more resolve against the Palestinian rocket launchers. "We are willing to back you up in your ministry's struggle with the Treasury (for additional funds)," he said.
Sapir College was completely deserted just a few hours after the deadly strike. Professor Ze'ev Tzachor, president of the institution, said classes would resume Thursday morning.
"We share the victim's family's pain, but the students are very determined," he said. "Classes will be held on schedule; we are not sitting Shiva (traditional Jewish morning period)."