Calling yesterday's Kassam rocket attack into southern Ashkelon yet another "escalation" in the Palestinian terrorist war, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said last night that the IDF has a green light to do what is necessary to bring an end to the attacks. Israel Air Force helicopters in fact unleashed several missiles at a donkey-driven wagon last night, killing its driver - Kassam rocket expert Hamdi Kalah of Hamas. Kalah was responsible for many bomb attacks against Gush Katif, Negev communities, and military installations.
Earlier yesterday, an IDF bulldozer began uprooting trees in and near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza - trees that served to camouflage the Kassam launching into Ashkelon. Continuing the operation this morning, the forces located the rocket launcher used to fire the rocket into Ashkelon. It was found near a PA police station under the command of PA General Al-Majaida - who announced this week that Arafat had ordered him to put a stop to the Kassam rocket firings against Jewish targets.
The PA says its forces fired against the rocket launchers yesterday, but the IDF says this is not true.
The Kassam rocket used yesterday's is an improved version, with a range of some 10 kilometers (6 miles). Close to 40 Israeli towns, including Ashkelon, Sderot, Kibbutz Saad and Prime Minister Sharon's Shikmim Ranch, are in its range when fired from Beit Hanoun.
In other Arab attacks in Gaza last night, soldiers were fired upon near Netzarim, mortar shells were fired into Gadid, and an anti-tank rocket was fired at an IDF position in Rafiach. Soldiers were also fired upon in Jenin. No one was hurt in these attacks.
North of Hevron, security forces uncovered a forgery operation in Halhoul, designed to duplicate Israeli drivers' licenses and identity cards. IDF forces also discovered and neutralized explosives in Gaza and the northern Shomron.
Earlier yesterday, an IDF bulldozer began uprooting trees in and near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza - trees that served to camouflage the Kassam launching into Ashkelon. Continuing the operation this morning, the forces located the rocket launcher used to fire the rocket into Ashkelon. It was found near a PA police station under the command of PA General Al-Majaida - who announced this week that Arafat had ordered him to put a stop to the Kassam rocket firings against Jewish targets.
The PA says its forces fired against the rocket launchers yesterday, but the IDF says this is not true.
The Kassam rocket used yesterday's is an improved version, with a range of some 10 kilometers (6 miles). Close to 40 Israeli towns, including Ashkelon, Sderot, Kibbutz Saad and Prime Minister Sharon's Shikmim Ranch, are in its range when fired from Beit Hanoun.
In other Arab attacks in Gaza last night, soldiers were fired upon near Netzarim, mortar shells were fired into Gadid, and an anti-tank rocket was fired at an IDF position in Rafiach. Soldiers were also fired upon in Jenin. No one was hurt in these attacks.
North of Hevron, security forces uncovered a forgery operation in Halhoul, designed to duplicate Israeli drivers' licenses and identity cards. IDF forces also discovered and neutralized explosives in Gaza and the northern Shomron.