Palestinian forces again fired mortar shells from Gaza over the Green Line last night; some landed between the city of Sderot and Kibbutz Nir Am, while others landed in Nisanit, adjacent to the northern Gaza Strip. In an emergency meeting of the security cabinet this afternoon in Tel Aviv, it was decided to continue the military measures against the PA in retaliation for the mortar attacks.
Palestinian forces launched two mortar shells in an attack on the communities of Atzmona and Morag in Gush Katif this afternoon. The Jewish town of Kfar Darom, within Gaza, also was hit by shells last night. No one was hurt. Several Judea and Samaria local council heads held a protest vigil opposite the Prime Minister\'s Office yesterday, demanding a total revamping of the entire strategy of combating Arafat\'s terrorists.
Deputy Public Security Minister Uzi Landau Gideon Ezra visited Gush Katif this morning. Speaking with Arutz-7 today, he said,
\"The purpose of the visit is to encourage both the Border Guard forces and the Jewish population that is living here courageously. I would like to tell all those who feel that the action [the entry into Gaza] was too short that the Palestinians now know that we can come in any time we want - and even if we left quickly, that is also not always bad, and has important pluses... This action definitely deterred the Palestinians, and even though they have continued firing mortars, our army is now a prouder one… The population here is very strong, and is even growing. We were in Nisanit, where no one has left and which is preparing to accept new residents... I think that at some point, the Palestinians will get sick of Arafat\'s craziness, and he himself will realize that he has to start worrying about his people\'s need to make a living...\"
Sha\'ar HaNegev Local Council head Shai Hermesh told Arutz-7, \"The Prime Minister called me in order to get a first-hand briefing on what was happening here in Kibbutz Nir Am. I told him that it\'s too bad that the army did not remain in Gaza a bit longer [instead of leaving two nights ago after only 24 hours], because as is known, the mortars this morning were fired from the very spots from which the IDF left the day before... But the bottom line is that I don\'t think I have to advise Sharon, and I trust him to find the right way to get out of this difficult situation.\"