Israel’s Air Force struck a Gaza terrorist cell engaged in launching Kassam rockets Wednesday, striking back for the first time in four months in response to a volley of missiles fired toward Ashkelon.
The Kassam cell, consisting of three terrorists, was preparing to fire more rockets from the site of the destroyed Jewish fishing town of Dugit in northern Gaza when the IDF struck back. One terrorist was killed and two injured in the IDF missile strike.
Seven Kassam rockets struck Israel Wednesday, landing near Ashkelon and Sderot, and 1-3 more hit on Thursday. No injuries were reported, but agricultural equipment was damaged and one rocket landed near a strategic facility in southern Ashkelon. The Islamic Jihad terrorist organization claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.
Israel has abided by a one-sided ceasefire since November, with the IDF holding its fire despite the launching of 185 rockets toward Israeli towns and cities.
Palestinian Authority reports claimed four people were injured in the IDF strike – all civilians.
Wednesday’s IDF response may signal the end of the quarter-year restraint policy. Both Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Vice Premier Shimon Peres have warned repeatedly that the IDF will not remain passive for much longer.
An IDF statement released shortly after the strike, however, stated that there has been no change in policy, which allows soldiers to hit rocket cells only immediately before and after they fire a rocket.
Fatah Terrorist Killed
IDF troops shot at a group of armed terrorists during an arrest operation in the PA-assigned town of Jenin on Wednesday. One man, a member of Fatah’s Al-Aksa Brigades, was killed.
Two other wanted Fatah terrorists, involved in shooting and bomb attacks, were killed in Shechem on Tuesday when they shot at members of the IDF’s Golani Brigade, who returned fire, killing both men. The Fatah cell was responsible for killing an IDF soldier in Shechem last year and dispatching a suicide bomber that killed two Border Police officers in Jerusalem’s French Hill neighborhood in September, 2004.
Hamas Chief Shot by Arabs in Gaza
Hamas terror captain Abu Salah Shinbari and his family were shot at during a Gaza City car chase on Wednesday. Unidentified Arabs with assault rifles drove an SUV after Shinbari’s car, shooting at it indiscriminately and leaving five people wounded along the way, including a child and a passerby.
Shinbari was active in combating Fatah gangs during the Fatah-Hamas clashes leading up to the installation of the PA unity government.
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