Gaza-based Palestinian Authority terrorists aimed another series of missile attacks at the port city of Ashkelon on Monday, one of them narrowly missing a strategic site. Media is constrained from reporting which site, to avoid spotting for them.
Ashkelon, home to slightly more than 108,000 souls, is Israel's 13th largest city and hosts sizeable oil and gas pipelines as well as a large electricity power station.
No one was injured and no property damage was reported.
Gaza terrorists fired three mortar shells at Israeli communities in the western Negev later in the day. The shells landed in open areas in the Shaar HaNegev and Eshkol regions. No injuries were reported.
Terrorist groups in Gaza had fired seven mortar shells at Israeli communities by Monday evening. None of the attacks succeeded in causing injury or damage.
The attacks came as the government stated that a major offensive against the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza is growing more likely. Egyptian mediators are hoping to stave off such a scenario with a tahadiyeh, or period of "calm," between the Hamas terrorist organization and Israel, even if only unofficially agreed upon at this point.
We have to create a situation in which Hamas will come to us and request a ceasefire. The policy of restraint is over.
A 24-year-old mother and her 2-year-old daughter are still in serious condition in Tel HaShomer Hospital following a Grad missile attack on a medical clinic on the top floor of Ashkelon's Chutzot Mall last week.
The baby returned to the operating room Monday to undergo another in a long series of surgeries. Doctors are hoping to save both her legs and remove remaining shrapnel from her head.
Mofaz Calls for Gaza Offensive, but Indirect Talks on Shalit
Transportation and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz called for an immediately offensive against the Hamas terrorist authority in Gaza. The former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff told Voice of Israel government radio Monday morning that he would suggest letting the army decide exactly what type of counterterrorist assault to carry out.
"The present situation (of constant Kassam and other missile attacks) is intolerable," asserted the Kadima minister. "We have to create a situation in which Hamas will come to us and request a ceasefire. The policy of restraint is over."
Mofaz called for a less aggressive approach to bringing home kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.The former IDF Chief of Staff argued that it would be proper for Israel to conduct "indirect negotiations" with Hamas for Shalit's return, even though Israel has officially banned all contacts with Hamas
IDF, ISA Nab Iranian-trained Gaza Terrorist
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) released for publication Monday the news that intelligence and IDF personnel have arrested a former Fatah terrorist who trained in Iran under the elite Revolutionary Guards.
Ala Abu Madif, who reportedly joined a different Gaza terrorist group after leaving Fatah, is a resident of the northern Gaza town of Khan Younis, located near the destroyed Gush Katif Jewish community of Neve Dekalim.
Abu Madif was involved in several sniper and rocket attacks on Israeli citizens and was prepared to stage a suicide bombing attack at the time of his arrest.
