Palestinian Authority terrorists continued rocket and other attacks Thursday and Friday, even as IDF forces successfully carried out further counter-terror operations in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. Nearly half of the residents of the bombarded <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />
The IDF continues to attack Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets, including the following on Thursday night: positions in Khan Yunis (southern
A barrage of four rockets was fired early Thursday night by PA terrorists in Gaza at Jewish towns in the western Negev. The "Color Red" warning system alarm was activated before the rockets landed, giving residents a few seconds to take cover. Three of the rockets landed in open areas near Sderot, while the fourth landed near a different town. No injuries were reported in the attacks, and no damage was caused.
Nineteen Kassam rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel on Thursday and Thursday night, with eight of them landing in Israel and causing significant property damage. Two mortar shells were also fired at the Karni Crossing. The "Color Red" early-warning alarm failed to activate before some of the attacks.
Two Kassam rockets landed in Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak in the western Negev, and another landed in an open field near Shokeda, another Jewish town in the western Negev.
Nearly Half of Sderot Takes a Break
Some 10,000 residents of the western Negev town of Sderot, frequent target of PA rocket attacks, have opted to remain in their homes. Nearly that number have left the city - 2,700 staying in IDF respite centers and the rest with the help of family or private initiatives. Those residents who left say they plan to return in the near future.
It was originally reported that only 200 people had signed up for the tent city set up in Tel Aviv by Russian-Israeli billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak, while Project Director David Nitzani said the number was several times higher. In the end, some 500 people arrived by late Thursday night, and more are expected to take up temporary residence in the tent site by Friday afternoon. Gaydamak's guests will receive three free meals a day, and free entrance to local parks and attractions. Visitors to the tent site on Thursday evening said spirits appeared to be high, despite the uncertainty.
PA WAR AGAINST ISRAEL ON OTHER FRONTS
Thursday night attacks: Palestinian terrorists threw Molotov cocktails at an IDF outpost in Hevron; no soldiers were injured... In a second attack by rock-throwing Arabs near Hevron, a woman suffered injuries to her face. She managed to drive herself to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem, where she received treatment for surface wounds...
Arabs threw rocks at a group of youths in Beit El, lightly injuring one girl, who was treated on the spot...
PA terrorists threw firebombs at an Israeli bus on the Trans-Judea Highway, and attacked several Israeli cars with heavy rocks near Migdalim, in the eastern Shomron. No injuries were reported in either attack, but at least one vehicle was damaged...
IDF soldiers entered a coffee shop in the Balata neighborhood of Shechem and arrested several wanted terrorists. At least four of the terrorists were armed at the time of their capture. All have been transferred to General Security Service (GSS) agents for questioning. Several Fatah terrorists opened fire on the troops, and the soldiers returned fire. One terrorist was hit, and no soldiers were injured.
At a checkpoint northeast of Shechem, IDF soldiers apprehended a terrorist affiliated with the Islamic Jihad. Security sources report that the captured terrorist is Anas Mohammed Ramadan, who has been wanted for some time in connection with attacks on Israel.