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Gaza militants fire Qassam into W. Negev after month-long lull
Gaza militants fired a Qassam rocket into the western Negev Tuesday evening, for the first time in over a month, in violation of a cease fire agreement between Israel Hamas, signed in mid-June. The rocket struck an open area near Nativ Ha'asara. No injuries or damage were reported. Defense Minister Ehud Barak consulted his advisors and security officials following the strike, and later announced his decision to shut down the border crossings between Israel and the Strip in response. This decision is in keeping with Israel's routine response to Qassam fire underscoring the message that rockets result in closed borders. On September 14, a Qassam rocket struck a construction site in the western Negev town of Sderot, sparking a fire. Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attack. Since the cease fire agreement went into effect on June 19, Israel has seen a sharp decline in the number of rockets fired into its territory from the Gaza Strip. Israel and Egypt have enforced a border blockade since Hamas seized control of Gaza by force in June 2007. As part of the blockade, only limited humanitarian supplies were allowed to enter Gaza. After the cease-fire took effect, more goods were allowed to enter, but a ban on exports from Gaza remains in effect. Posted by: Fred 2008-10-22 |
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