"Negev roulette," as some local residents refer to the Defense Ministry refusal to go to war to stop the barrages of Kassam rockets in and around Sderot, continued in the western Negev Wednesday morning as Gaza-based terrorists attacked for the second straight day following a brief lull. As in previous Kassam strikes, Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the offensive, leaving Hamas free to claim that it is holding fire although its administration is responsible for Gaza military operations. The Olmert administration generally has refrained from ordering IDF counterterrorist retaliation so long as no one is killed or seriously wounded.
The rockets exploded in Kibbutz Mefalsim, near Kibbutz Saad, and damaged several houses without causing personal injury. In a separate incident, Arab snipers fired at Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha farmers. No injuries were reported.