In a sad statement, officials are already signaling defeat, informing Sderot and western Negev residents that the daily Kassam rocket attacks are now ‘part of life,’ indicating the IDF does not have the ability to bring a total cessation to the attacks.
Seven Kassam rockets were fired at Sderot and Ashkelon today, and at least five yesterday. One of today's rockets hit a house in Sderot, causing a fire, and one person was lightly injured.
The army entered northern Gaza on Tuesday night, with Givati Infantry Brigade soldiers advancing in the Beit Hanoun area in an effort to seek out Kassam rocket launchers, weapons depots and terror cells. The goal is to sharply reduce terrorists’ abilities to launch rocket attacks into pre-1967 Green Line Israel.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz continues to say that the IDF will not “re-conquer Gaza,” sending a clear message to terrorists in Gaza that the IDF operation will be limited. Military officials are calling for a larger operation, but the Security Cabinet has responded only partially.
The army’s limited offensive contradicts the statements and promises made by the government in 2005, which then warned the PA (Palestinian Authority) that rocket attacks into southern Israel would be viewed as a border violation and would be met with a stern IDF response. In the meantime, over a year since the implementation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan, the frequency of attacks continues to increase.
In addition, IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit remains hostage to Hamas terrorists in Gaza, following his abduction on June 25th. This, despite PM Olmert's promise that Israel would not end the war in Lebanon until Shalit and the two soldiers captured by Hizbullah would be released.
Yesterday (Wednesday), on the first day of the current military operation, IDF Staff-Sergeant Kiril Golenshein, 21, from Shekef, fell in the line of duty. He was laid to rest today in Jerusalem’s Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery.
In today's fighting, two soldiers were wounded and taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon for treatment.
Ten PA terrorists were killed in yesterday's fighting and 30 wounded, and at least three more were killed today. The low number of casualties indicates the limited nature of the offensive, which is not likely to significantly hamper the terrorists’ efforts to launch rocket attacks. Military officials and others agree that northern Gaza has become a terrorist haven; Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) said that Hamas is undergoing a process of "Hizbullah-zation."
The residents of Sderot and the surrounding areas continue to protest. Some schools in Sderot were closed this morning, and parents accuse the government of endangering their children by not completing the fortification of the school buildings.
Elsewhere in Gaza, the situation on the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt continues to be a trouble spot. Senior IDF commanders have called to re-take control of the strategically vital road that sits above weapons smuggling tunnels.
Israel agreed to relinquish security control of the crossing several months ago, deciding to rely on European Union (EU) monitors working alongside PA and Egyptian forces.
Israeli military intelligence reports that tons of weapons, military grade explosives, anti-tank rockets and other weapons have made their way to Gaza since Israel left the area, as Hamas continues to arm itself for a war with Israel.
Military commanders are warning that if Philadelphi Route is not controlled, we will witness the “Lebanonization of Gaza,” a reality that could become more damaging that this summer’s war in Lebanon.
Seven Kassam rockets were fired at Sderot and Ashkelon today, and at least five yesterday. One of today's rockets hit a house in Sderot, causing a fire, and one person was lightly injured.
The army entered northern Gaza on Tuesday night, with Givati Infantry Brigade soldiers advancing in the Beit Hanoun area in an effort to seek out Kassam rocket launchers, weapons depots and terror cells. The goal is to sharply reduce terrorists’ abilities to launch rocket attacks into pre-1967 Green Line Israel.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz continues to say that the IDF will not “re-conquer Gaza,” sending a clear message to terrorists in Gaza that the IDF operation will be limited. Military officials are calling for a larger operation, but the Security Cabinet has responded only partially.
The army’s limited offensive contradicts the statements and promises made by the government in 2005, which then warned the PA (Palestinian Authority) that rocket attacks into southern Israel would be viewed as a border violation and would be met with a stern IDF response. In the meantime, over a year since the implementation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan, the frequency of attacks continues to increase.
In addition, IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit remains hostage to Hamas terrorists in Gaza, following his abduction on June 25th. This, despite PM Olmert's promise that Israel would not end the war in Lebanon until Shalit and the two soldiers captured by Hizbullah would be released.
Yesterday (Wednesday), on the first day of the current military operation, IDF Staff-Sergeant Kiril Golenshein, 21, from Shekef, fell in the line of duty. He was laid to rest today in Jerusalem’s Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery.
In today's fighting, two soldiers were wounded and taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon for treatment.
Ten PA terrorists were killed in yesterday's fighting and 30 wounded, and at least three more were killed today. The low number of casualties indicates the limited nature of the offensive, which is not likely to significantly hamper the terrorists’ efforts to launch rocket attacks. Military officials and others agree that northern Gaza has become a terrorist haven; Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) said that Hamas is undergoing a process of "Hizbullah-zation."
The residents of Sderot and the surrounding areas continue to protest. Some schools in Sderot were closed this morning, and parents accuse the government of endangering their children by not completing the fortification of the school buildings.
Elsewhere in Gaza, the situation on the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt continues to be a trouble spot. Senior IDF commanders have called to re-take control of the strategically vital road that sits above weapons smuggling tunnels.
Israel agreed to relinquish security control of the crossing several months ago, deciding to rely on European Union (EU) monitors working alongside PA and Egyptian forces.
Israeli military intelligence reports that tons of weapons, military grade explosives, anti-tank rockets and other weapons have made their way to Gaza since Israel left the area, as Hamas continues to arm itself for a war with Israel.
Military commanders are warning that if Philadelphi Route is not controlled, we will witness the “Lebanonization of Gaza,” a reality that could become more damaging that this summer’s war in Lebanon.