IDF air and ground forces attacked Palestinian Authority-controlled Biet Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip last night, in retaliation for the mortar shells fired from there onto the Israeli city of Sderot yesterday. An Arab para-military policeman was killed and about 30 people were wounded, most of them lightly, in the Israeli attack. The attack\'s targets included a Force 17 training base in central Gaza, the office of the Tanzim chief in Dir el Balah, Preventive Security headquarters in Sheikh Radwan, and others. Israeli attacks continued this morning, with tank fire directed again at terrorist targets in Biet Hanoun.
In addition, the IDF is holding areas in PA-controlled Gaza, has divided it into three separate sections, and has closed crossings into Gaza. Israeli forces are deployed in Biet Hanoun and along the Karni-Netzarim road, blocking Arab traffic between one side of Gaza and other. The IDF spokesman made it clear that there is no intention to capture PA-controlled Area A, and that the IDF forces will withdraw once the Palestinians \"act against terrorism from within their territory.\" It was acknowledged, however, that the mission could last a long time.
Life in Sderot was back to routine today, although its schoolchildren were treated to emergency exercise drills. Five mortar shells were fired last night at the city, well within the Green Line; no one was hurt. National Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer each visited the town today. Iz a-Din el-Kassam, Hamas\' military arm, has claimed responsibility for the Sderot attack.
The decision to retaliate was made at a meeting called last night by Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, with the participation of IDF Chief of Staff Mofaz, his deputy Brig.-Gen. Yaalon, and other defense leaders. A statement issued afterwards by Ben-Eliezer\'s office said, \"In light of the intolerable shooting actions against Israeli towns, the order [was given] to the IDF to take action within the Gaza Strip in order to clarify to the Palestinians that the State of Israel will not accept this type of incident.\"
Early this morning, the IDF shelled Palestinian terrorist targets in Tulkarm, east of Netanya.
In addition, the IDF is holding areas in PA-controlled Gaza, has divided it into three separate sections, and has closed crossings into Gaza. Israeli forces are deployed in Biet Hanoun and along the Karni-Netzarim road, blocking Arab traffic between one side of Gaza and other. The IDF spokesman made it clear that there is no intention to capture PA-controlled Area A, and that the IDF forces will withdraw once the Palestinians \"act against terrorism from within their territory.\" It was acknowledged, however, that the mission could last a long time.
Life in Sderot was back to routine today, although its schoolchildren were treated to emergency exercise drills. Five mortar shells were fired last night at the city, well within the Green Line; no one was hurt. National Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer each visited the town today. Iz a-Din el-Kassam, Hamas\' military arm, has claimed responsibility for the Sderot attack.
The decision to retaliate was made at a meeting called last night by Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, with the participation of IDF Chief of Staff Mofaz, his deputy Brig.-Gen. Yaalon, and other defense leaders. A statement issued afterwards by Ben-Eliezer\'s office said, \"In light of the intolerable shooting actions against Israeli towns, the order [was given] to the IDF to take action within the Gaza Strip in order to clarify to the Palestinians that the State of Israel will not accept this type of incident.\"
Early this morning, the IDF shelled Palestinian terrorist targets in Tulkarm, east of Netanya.