Katyusha Missile
Katyusha MissileFlash 90

Prosper Azran, the former mayor of Kiryat Shmona, says the salvo of Katushya rockets fired from Lebanon at Israel's northern communities late Monday is just the beginning. The last such attack from Lebanon was in 2009.

"The terrorist hand has always been quick on the trigger because our deterrent power is forgotten and amounts to nothing," Azran said. "We residents of Kiryat Shmona have faced this for decades. I'm afraid I have to report Israel's government regularly neglects the security of some citizens."

"We are like the children who were once sacrificed to Moloch," Azran said, referring to the ancient Phoenician idol worshipped by pagan tribes that the Torah admonished Israelites not to serve in Leviticus 18:21

"Today, the government sacrifices its civilians to Molech," Azran said. "Sometimes it is the citizens of the South and sometimes it is the citizens of the North. Residents of Kiryat Shmona and the whole north are living in a very dangerous area and it's insanity to call this safe."

Azran said he believes the Israeli government is only concerned with the security of Israel's prosperous central region and coastal plain.

"They act as though they do not realize there a million people under fire every day in the South, Azran said. "The Israeli government is apparently not affected - because they live and work in the center of the country".

"Where are all those who promised us they can deal with the security issues once they gain power - where are they?" Azran asked. "They have abandoned a third of the residents in Israel who have to think twice about where to sleep at night!"

Kiryat Shmona has been no stranger to terror over the years. On 11 April 1974, three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [PFLP] crossed the Israeli border from Lebanon and made their way to Kiryat Shoma. There they murdered 16 civilians and 2 soldiers.

Late on Monday evening the Abdullah Azzam Shaheed Brigades, believed to be allied with the PFLP, fired several Katyusha missiles into Israel. No physical injuries were reported. However, a chicken coop was destroyed and a gas tank was hit, resulting in a fire.

The IDF responded by firing several artillery shells at the site of the missile launcher, which had been vacated prior to the timer-based launch.

No further action has been undertaken.