13 Qassams Fired at Negev Over Weekend

by Avi Issacharoff and Nadav Shragai
Haaretz
November 10, 2008

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/381/13-qassams-fired-at-negev-over-weekend

Palestinian militants fired at least 13 Qassam rockets and one mortar round into Israel over the weekend from the Gaza Strip. No injuries or damage to property were reported. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the Friday launches which, along with Israeli incursions, threatened to end the shaky cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

Two of the homemade rockets struck an open field south of Ashkelon, others struck areas in the western Negev. Further, while operating inside the Strip to defuse explosives placed along the border fence, IDF soldiers wounded four Palestinians. Additionally, the Israel Air Force destroyed a Qassam launcher in the northern Strip.

Sources within the defense establishment say that despite the exchanges of fire, Hamas is not interested in renewing the fighting with Israel and breaking the six-month cease-fire the organization declared with Israel in June. Moreover, security officials say they believe Hamas is still seeking to restrain other Palestinian militias.

Hostilities resumed Tuesday night following an IDF incursion into the Strip to destroy an underground tunnel which militants had dug into Israel across from the Kissufim crossing. IDF officers said the tunnel was dug to allow the militants to carry out a terrorist attack against Israeli troops or civilians.

The Tuesday operation resulted in the death of six Hamas militants. On Wednesday Hamas, along with other militias, fired dozens of Qassams into Israel. The IDF retaliated in several instances, killing an Islamic Jihad man.

Following this violence, an Islamic Jihad spokesman said the group would consider ending its launching of rockets if Israel ceased its actions. "It depends on Israel, if they stop their aggression and abide by the truce we are ready to consider stopping firing," Abu Ahmed of the Islamic Jihad armed wing said.

By Thursday, Hamas had restrained its men and issued a statement saying it was interested in preserving the cease-fire. However, IDF officers told Haaretz that Hamas was continuing to place bombs along the border in preparation for the day after the cease-fire ends or breaks down.

The cease-fire agreement envisioned a half-year end of hostilities between the two sides with an opportunity to extend the agreement beyond its December 19 expiration date.

During a visit to Cairo, the chief of the military and political cabinet at the Defence Ministry, reserve Major-General Amos Gilad, made it clear to Egyptians that Israel supports the reconciliation being extended. According to Israeli intelligence sources, Hamas is not interested in undermining the situation in the next few weeks because of the January 9 Palestinian Authority elections. Observers believe Hamas and its partners would not wish to hold elections while at war with Israel

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