An IDF offensive began last night to attempt to prevent further Kassam rocket launchings. We have a problem dealing with the firing of Kassam rockets," Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz admitted yesterday, but added, "The initial solution is to take over the areas from which the terrorists launch the rockets... We will stay in the Beit Hanoun vicinity as long as is necessary.
Armored forces entered and took up positions last night in Beit Hanoun, in the northeastern corner of the Gaza Strip, only two aerial miles from Sderot. Dirt barriers were put up to prevent passage of Kassam launching cells, and some roads to Beit Hanoun were partially destroyed. The operation is expected to expand to neighboring hostile Arab towns such as Jebalya and Gaza City, and additional forces are streaming in to the area today.
Prime Minister Sharon paid a visit to the rocket-barraged city of Sderot yesterday and pledged to work to prevent further Kassam rocket attacks - and was then promptly hustled safely off to shelter when two more Kassams fell on the town. Sharon's tour was not announced in advance - although one city official said earlier in the day that Sharon would be arriving - but the Hamas terrorist organization announced that its "intelligence network" had learned that Sharon would be in the city.
All told, five rockets fell on the city yesterday, including one in the morning that wounded one man moderately. A final Kassam landed in Sderot after Sharon had left. A Kassam fired by the terrorists on Monday morning killed two Sderot residents, 3-year-old Afik Zahavi and 49-year-old Mordechai Yosifov.
Residents of Sderot have sharply protested the Prime Ministers plan to withdraw from Gaza, saying that it will lead to regular rocket attacks not just in Sderot, but also across the western Negev and the Ashkelon area.
Mayor Eli Moyal said several times during the day that if residents begin leaving the city, "it will be a problem of national proportions, and if the government has to invest billions to prevent this, then that's what it has to do." Prime Minister Sharon took up the challenge, and said he had instructed his staff to "prepare an action plan to strengthen communities in the area. We plan to assist with municipal tax payments, special educational programs and summer camps, and benefits in the areas of health, welfare, and industry." Sharon plans to bring the plan for government approval this coming Sunday.
Mayor Moyal, a member of the Likud Party, is outspokenly against the disengagement plan, and has used the national stage afforded him by Sderot's problems to make this clear. Sharon did not relate to these objections, however.
Armored forces entered and took up positions last night in Beit Hanoun, in the northeastern corner of the Gaza Strip, only two aerial miles from Sderot. Dirt barriers were put up to prevent passage of Kassam launching cells, and some roads to Beit Hanoun were partially destroyed. The operation is expected to expand to neighboring hostile Arab towns such as Jebalya and Gaza City, and additional forces are streaming in to the area today.
Prime Minister Sharon paid a visit to the rocket-barraged city of Sderot yesterday and pledged to work to prevent further Kassam rocket attacks - and was then promptly hustled safely off to shelter when two more Kassams fell on the town. Sharon's tour was not announced in advance - although one city official said earlier in the day that Sharon would be arriving - but the Hamas terrorist organization announced that its "intelligence network" had learned that Sharon would be in the city.
All told, five rockets fell on the city yesterday, including one in the morning that wounded one man moderately. A final Kassam landed in Sderot after Sharon had left. A Kassam fired by the terrorists on Monday morning killed two Sderot residents, 3-year-old Afik Zahavi and 49-year-old Mordechai Yosifov.
Residents of Sderot have sharply protested the Prime Ministers plan to withdraw from Gaza, saying that it will lead to regular rocket attacks not just in Sderot, but also across the western Negev and the Ashkelon area.
Mayor Eli Moyal said several times during the day that if residents begin leaving the city, "it will be a problem of national proportions, and if the government has to invest billions to prevent this, then that's what it has to do." Prime Minister Sharon took up the challenge, and said he had instructed his staff to "prepare an action plan to strengthen communities in the area. We plan to assist with municipal tax payments, special educational programs and summer camps, and benefits in the areas of health, welfare, and industry." Sharon plans to bring the plan for government approval this coming Sunday.
Mayor Moyal, a member of the Likud Party, is outspokenly against the disengagement plan, and has used the national stage afforded him by Sderot's problems to make this clear. Sharon did not relate to these objections, however.