It has long been feared that Islamic Jihad and Fatah terrorists - and not necessarily those of Hamas - will try to carry out attacks against Israelis before the Tuesday elections. Two major attacks were thwarted last week: one on Tuesday when the would-be suicide terrorist was captured after a manhunt near Shaalvim, and a later one in which the perpetrator was captured near Ramallah.
Terrorists in Gaza fired five Kassam rockets over the weekend, causing no casualties, but damaging a building just south of Ashkelon. In retaliation, IDF artillery shelled the rocket launch areas.
Three more Kassam rockets were fired at once towards southern Ashkelon shortly after noon Sunday. Though Voice of Israel Radio reporter Nissim Keinan said, "No one was hurt, and that is what is most important," some analysts feel that what is even more important is that the rockets continue to be fired with barely any substantial Israeli response.
IMRA's Dr. Aaron Lerner wrote today, "It is Israeli policy to essentially allow the Palestinians to continue to try to carry out a successful 'mega attack' until they succeed." He noted that though the Israel Air Force treats "near-misses" with the same seriousness as a "hit," IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz - who previously headed the Air Force - has basically abandoned this policy.
The Sunday Times reported in London today that Kadima government figures are considering plans for a major military operation in Judea and Samaria after the election. The objective would be to destroy terrorist infrastructures there. Political commentators say that it is possible that the reports, based on an unnamed Israeli security officials, are timed to bring back right-wing voters to Kadima.
Terrorists in Gaza fired five Kassam rockets over the weekend, causing no casualties, but damaging a building just south of Ashkelon. In retaliation, IDF artillery shelled the rocket launch areas.
Three more Kassam rockets were fired at once towards southern Ashkelon shortly after noon Sunday. Though Voice of Israel Radio reporter Nissim Keinan said, "No one was hurt, and that is what is most important," some analysts feel that what is even more important is that the rockets continue to be fired with barely any substantial Israeli response.
IMRA's Dr. Aaron Lerner wrote today, "It is Israeli policy to essentially allow the Palestinians to continue to try to carry out a successful 'mega attack' until they succeed." He noted that though the Israel Air Force treats "near-misses" with the same seriousness as a "hit," IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz - who previously headed the Air Force - has basically abandoned this policy.
The Sunday Times reported in London today that Kadima government figures are considering plans for a major military operation in Judea and Samaria after the election. The objective would be to destroy terrorist infrastructures there. Political commentators say that it is possible that the reports, based on an unnamed Israeli security officials, are timed to bring back right-wing voters to Kadima.