IDF forces arrested 33 Hamas leaders Wednesday night, including four mayors, the PA education minister, and the head of the Waqf in Shechem. Three Kassams fired Thursday morning at the western Negev caused no damage. A fourth rocket slammed into the town of Sderot at midday, damaging a car near the home of Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal. No injuries were reported.
The broad wave of arrests was also accompanied by IDF air-strikes and closures of ten Hamas offices.
The arrests netted the Arab mayors of Shechem, Kalkilye, Al-Bireh and Bidia, as well as three PA legislature members, a senior interior ministry official, the director of the public works office, and others. Defense Minister Amir Peretz, speaking with Army Radio this morning, appeared anxious to tone down the arrest wave's harsh impression, saying it was "reversible."
Peretz said that the arrests "are a message to the military organizations that we demand that the rocket firing be stopped. We have maintained the necessary restraint, and we will do whatever action that can influence the situation, not necessarily actions that will bring to killing and violence."
Shabak (GSS) officials quoted by Maariv-NRG said the arrests were designed to thwart perpetual Hamas intentions to build up terror infrastructures in Judea and Samaria.
Also Wednesday night, the Israel Air Force fired missiles on a car carrying Hamas terrorists, who escaped, and hit two money-changing offices in Gaza City through which money is sent from Iran and elsewhere for Hamas arms and training.
In addition, five Hamas offices were closed near Jenin and Shechem, three more in Ramallah, and two south of Jerusalem.
Over the past few days, the IDF and the Civil Administration have closed several Hamas broadcasting stations, including five in Shechem and one in Kalkilye. Computers, transmitters and even the stations' archives were confiscated. "Hamas is engaged in copying its data network from Gaza to Judea and Samaria, and is using its government authorities and mechanisms to encourage and support terrorism," the IDF reported.
Following four Kassam rockets on Wednesday night, as the one-day Shavuot holiday ended, three more were fired this morning. They landed in fields near Sderot and Kibbutz Nir-Am, causing no damage.
Helping the Residents
Some 1,500 children from Sderot and nearby towns are being treated today (Thursday) to a day of fun by the Jewish Agency. Some of the 35 busloads of children went to Park Mini-Israel near Latrun, others to the Yamit 2000 Park in Holon, and others to Superland in Rishon LeTzion.
The Yeshivat Hesder in Sderot is running a program entitled Yad B'Yad (Hand in Hand) to help its neighbors. A hotline has been set up for residents to ask for help of various kinds, and students have been visiting homes and offering help, a listening ear and solutions, where possible, to specific problems.
The municipality is cooperating with Arcadi Gaydamak in his offer to provide week-long stays in a Tel Aviv tent city. Many residents also were treated to short vacations by the Defense Ministry.