In Beit Hanoun in northeastern Gaza, an Israel Air Force craft bombed a car that proved to be full of explosives - probably dozens of Kassam rockets, IDF sources estimate. The terrorists inside or nearby were making their last preparations to launch Kassams at Israel. PA sources reported that one person was killed in the explosion, and three passersby were wounded.
Earlier, two Arabs were wounded when they were attacked from the air as they were trying to launch a Kassam rocket at Israel. The two were bodyguards of the head of a local Fatah Al-Aksa Brigades chapter, who was not hurt. Five Arabs were killed in similar bombings yesterday; the PA says four of them were playing soccer, but the IDF counters that they were actually hit while trying to fire a Kassam.
IDF ground troops had entered the northern Gaza town of Al-Atatra last week, just south of the former Jewish community of Dugit, where they faced heavy enemy gunfire. One soldier, St.-Sgt. Yehuda Bassal, 21, from Moshav Yinon near Kiryat Malachi, was killed by bullet fire to his head when he was covering for other soldiers. The fatal bullet was aimed accidentally by a fellow Israeli soldier, who mistook Yehuda for a terrorist. The Bassal family released a statement saying they "embrace the soldier" who mistakenly shot their son, hold nothing against him, and hope that both he and they will be able to proceed with their lives.
Over the past day or two, the army has reverted to more of an air offensive, bombing dozens of targets. Another front is expected to be opened in the coming days, where the IDF will pound targets and exert pressure on the terrorist organizations. IDF sources say they may very well penetrate very deeply into Gaza, and that the entire offensive may last another two months. Prime Minister Olmert continues to emphasize that he refuses to negotiate for the release of the captured soldier.
Earlier, two Arabs were wounded when they were attacked from the air as they were trying to launch a Kassam rocket at Israel. The two were bodyguards of the head of a local Fatah Al-Aksa Brigades chapter, who was not hurt. Five Arabs were killed in similar bombings yesterday; the PA says four of them were playing soccer, but the IDF counters that they were actually hit while trying to fire a Kassam.
IDF ground troops had entered the northern Gaza town of Al-Atatra last week, just south of the former Jewish community of Dugit, where they faced heavy enemy gunfire. One soldier, St.-Sgt. Yehuda Bassal, 21, from Moshav Yinon near Kiryat Malachi, was killed by bullet fire to his head when he was covering for other soldiers. The fatal bullet was aimed accidentally by a fellow Israeli soldier, who mistook Yehuda for a terrorist. The Bassal family released a statement saying they "embrace the soldier" who mistakenly shot their son, hold nothing against him, and hope that both he and they will be able to proceed with their lives.
Over the past day or two, the army has reverted to more of an air offensive, bombing dozens of targets. Another front is expected to be opened in the coming days, where the IDF will pound targets and exert pressure on the terrorist organizations. IDF sources say they may very well penetrate very deeply into Gaza, and that the entire offensive may last another two months. Prime Minister Olmert continues to emphasize that he refuses to negotiate for the release of the captured soldier.