The bottom line is that ever since the IDF entered Beit Hanoun just over a month ago, the rate at which Kassam rockets have been fired at Sderot and the western Negev has increased significantly.
Fifty-five such rockets have been fired in the past month alone, including one this morning that injured four, including one truck driver hit by shrapnel; one yesterday, which caused no damage; and five on Friday, after which several Sderot residents were treated for shock.
No final military decision was taken at a meeting of security leaders held last night. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz announced on Friday that he had given a "free hand" to the IDF forces to take whatever steps necessary to stop the rockets.
Friday night, IDF helicopters destroyed a bomb factory in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood. The factory manufactured and supplied explosives for the Hamas terrorist organization. The building was owned by the El-Riashi family, one of whose members was female suicide bomber Rim Saleh Awad El-Riashi, who murdered four Israelis in a bombing at the Erez Crossing on January 14, 2004.
Fifty-five such rockets have been fired in the past month alone, including one this morning that injured four, including one truck driver hit by shrapnel; one yesterday, which caused no damage; and five on Friday, after which several Sderot residents were treated for shock.
No final military decision was taken at a meeting of security leaders held last night. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz announced on Friday that he had given a "free hand" to the IDF forces to take whatever steps necessary to stop the rockets.
Friday night, IDF helicopters destroyed a bomb factory in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood. The factory manufactured and supplied explosives for the Hamas terrorist organization. The building was owned by the El-Riashi family, one of whose members was female suicide bomber Rim Saleh Awad El-Riashi, who murdered four Israelis in a bombing at the Erez Crossing on January 14, 2004.