Soldier at rally
Photo: Amir Cohen
Rocket fired during Gaza disengagement tribute
Thousands attend rally marking third anniversary of Gaza pullout; rocket fired during ceremony
Thousands of people arrived Wednesday to a site near Kibbutz Kissufim to mark the third anniversary of the Gush Katif evacuation. During the rally, a Qassam rocket was fired at a nearby community from the northern Gaza Strip.
The rocket landed in an open area near a southern kibbutz; no injuries or damages were reported in the attack, which came despite the truce in the area. Ever since the ceasefire vis-à-vis Hamas went into effect in June, almost no rocket attacks have originated in the Strip. However, a rocket or mortar shell has been fired every few days.
Sad memories. (Photo: Amir Cohen)
Rally organizer Ohad Bart told Ynet: "In the last two weeks I was in the area, and every time one or two rockets landed there. Ever since we ran away from Gush Katif, they are trying to hurt us from Gaza time and again. The escape boosted terrorists across the country."
Meanwhile, Yesha Council Spokesman Yishai Hollander told Ynet that the rocket did not land near the rally site.
"Those who thought the disengagement will enable us to get away from terror realized that terror is chasing them," he said. "We're being hit by Qassams and mortar shells across the south. By now, everyone knows that the withdrawal led to a sharp rise in terror. There's nobody who thinks otherwise toady."
"The event organizers were very pleased with the large number of participants," Hollander added. "It was a dignified and impressive rally that joined similar tributes held in more than 50 Israeli towns this week."
Shmulik Haddad contributed to the story
