Israel and Hamas continued to hassle each other with a game of nerves Wednesday without inflicting heavy damage. Two short-range Kassam rockets exploded in open areas near Sderot and in response, the Air Force bombed seven smuggling tunnels along the Philadelphi route bordering Egypt. Secondary explosions were seen following the attacks on a number of the tunnels, proving the presence of weaponry and/or explosives.
The IDF cited "the continuous firing of over 100 Qassam rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles since the holding of fire on January 18th" as the reason for the air strike. No casualties were reported and all pilots returned safely to base.
Hamas has continued attacking communities in the western Negev almost on a daily basis since both Israel and Hamas declared separated ceasefires at the conclusion of the IDF’s Operation Cast Lead against the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.
The Olmert government said the campaign had achieved its objectives and that a military counter-offensive would resume if rocket attacks continued. The withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza also was predicated on international monitoring of tunnels along the Philadelphi route.
However, fanfare over the monitors died away and media attention was focused on Egyptian-mediated talks between Hamas and Israel for a long-term truce and the return of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Meanwhile, Hamas has rebuilt its network of weapons smuggling tunnels, and Israel has not attacked them except in retaliation for rocket attacks, which so far have not caused any widespread damage or serious injuries although they continue to disrupt routine life for western Negev residents.
Most of the rocket attacks have occurred in the morning hours, when the civilian population is on its way to work and school.