Rocket Fired From Gaza Hits Near Netivot Synagogue

by Avi Issacharoff, Anshel Pfeffer and Yanir Yagna
Haaretz
March 5, 2009

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/811/rocket-fired-from-gaza-hits-near-netivot-synagogue

Palestinian militants on Thursday evening fired a Grad rocket that struck near a synagogue in the southern town of Netivot. The attack came after an Israel Air Force strike on the Gaza Strip killed three members of the militant Islamic Jihad on Thursday, medical sources said.

Palestinian militants also launched a barrage of Qassam rockets and mortar rounds into Israel on Thursday.

They fired six Qassams from the Hamas-controlled territory into the western Negev; all struck open areas, and caused no damages or injuries. Two mortar shells struck near the Nahal Oz region, also causing no casualties.

On Wednesday night, an IAF missile attack killed a senior Islamic Jihad militant in northern Gaza, and critically wounded another, Palestinian security and health officials said.

Islamic Jihad vowed revenge in the wake of the air strikes.

The Israel Defense Forces said the Wednesday attack targeted senior Islamic Jihad member Khaled Shalan, who had been involved in firing rockets at the southern city of Ashkelon.

Islamic Jihad, a smaller faction than Hamas, said Shalan had overseen its rocket launches and other attacks on Israel from northern Gaza.

Wednesday's strike was the second time since the end of Operation Cast Lead that the IDF has conducted targeted killings against Palestinian militants.

Palestinian security officials said the two militants jumped out of their car when they heard the IAF jet approaching. The Israeli aircraft fired a missile at them, critically wounding them. Palestinian health ministry official Moaiya Hassanain said another five bystanders were wounded.

Israel launched a 22-day military offensive in the Gaza Strip in December and has generally responded to Palestinian rocket attacks since then with air strikes on suspected smuggling tunnels on the Gaza-Egypt frontier.

Wednesday's air strike could signal a resumption of targeted killings against militant leaders.

Related Topics:  Palestinian Rockets  |  Avi Issacharoff  |  Anshel Pfeffer  |  Yanir Yagna receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free jewish policy center mailing list