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Medium Range Rocket Hits Israel

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 (11:53 am)

By George Whitten, Jerusalem Bureau Chief

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (Worthy News) — Israel's military said a foreign produced medium-range rocket fired from Gaza landed in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon Tuesday, February 3, a day after the militant group Hamas asked Iran to help it to "liberate" Jerusalem and "all Palestinians".

The Grad rocket was the first of its kind to be fired at the city of 122,000 since informal cease-fires were declared separately by Israel and Hamas two weeks ago at the end of Israel's 22-day offensive in Gaza.

It landed in an open space in the middle of Ashkelon, but no one was injured, Israeli police said.

The Grad is distinctive from the home-made projectiles more commonly used by Hamas and smaller militant groups, as it is manufactured abroad, has greater range and carries a more powerful payload, according to observers.

Tuesday's attack came as a Hamas delegation met Egyptian mediators in Cairo, officially to discuss a "long-term truce with Israel," although Hamas officials have made clear they are preparing for a new war.

"FULL LIBERATION"

Speaking in Tehran Monday, February 2, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal told Iranian officials that "the victory" in Gaza against Israel was a precursor of the "full liberation of Palestine" and Jerusalem.  Israeli governments have described Jerusalem however as the country's "undivided capital."

Hamas has demanded that border crossings to Gaza be open in exchange for a "durable cease-fire," but militants have not specified how long that truce would last. Israel has limited aid and commercial traffic, saying it fears materials could be used by militants and that crossings are used to smuggle weapons. The Israeli government also says it will not open its borders until soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by militants in 2006, is released.

Tuesday's rocket attack into southern Israel was expected to intensify the country's response to previous missile attacks. Since Sunday, February 1, Israeli forces bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after about a dozen  mortars and rockets were reportedly fired by militants into Israel that injured three Israelis.

At least one Palestinian militant was killed in Gaza in one of the Israeli air strikes, Palestinian medical officials said Monday, February 2.  Just before Israel's latest military action, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed Sunday, February 1,  "disproportionate" responses to any rocket or mortar attacks launched from the Gaza Strip.

TERROR DICTATE

In a weekly cabinet meeting, Olmert stressed, "We won’t return to the rules of the game that terror groups have tried to dictate, and we won’t be dragged into a never-ending shooting war." He said,"We won't give the terror groups warning as to when and how we'll react, but Israel will respond and act at the time and place of its choosing."

Before the latest Israeli attacks, Palestinians in the Southern Gaza town or Rafah said they received voice messages by telephone warning "everybody who is near any place used for terror, or weapons storage facility or tunnels, should evacuate the area immediately."

Hamas has urged international humanitarian support, saying Israel already killed at least 1,300 people during its recent offensive, amid fears the death toll could dramatically rise if the Jewish state steps up its military actions again.

Israel says the death toll is high because Hamas uses people as "human shields." At least one Palestinian family in Gaza confirmed their farm was turned into a "fortress" by Hamas, and said they were "merely human shields" as Hamas "waged war on Israel" from their farm, Palestinian media reported.

FARM "FORTRESS"

"The Abd Rabbo family kept quiet while Hamas fighters turned their farm in the Gaza Strip into a fortress. Right now, they are waiting for the aid promised by the [Hamas] movement after Israel bombed the farm and turned it into ruins," according to a translation of Palestinian daily 'Al-Hayat Al-Jadida' provided by Palestinian Media Watch.

The family's farm is reportedly a prime location to launch attacks into Israel as it rests on a hill overlooking the Israeli town of S'derot. Hamas has used it to launch hundreds of rocket attacks into Southern Israel over the past few years, media said.

One family member, only identified as Hadi, 22, was quoted as saying: "You can’t say anything to the resistance [fighters], or they will accuse you of collaborating [with Israel] and shoot you in the legs."

Members of Hamas' rival faction Fatah were reportedly detained and in several cases shot and killed. Hamas denies it targets innocent civilians but says it will fight against "collaborators of Israel." It has been difficult to verify all reports independently, but local Christians have told Worthy News there is concern about growing Islamic extremism in the Gaza Strip.

Related News Stories:

  1. Dozens Killed As Israel Hits U.N. School; Christians Concerned
  2. Israel Prepares For Rocket Attacks From Lebanon
  3. Israel Opens Humanitarian Aid Corridor (WRAPUP)
  4. Palestinians Launch Suicide Bombing, Rocket Attack
  5. Hamas Offering 'Ceasefire' With Israel (WRAPUP)
  6. Hamas Fighting With Weapons From Israel (Investigation)
  7. Al-Qaida Plans to Attack Israel and Israelis Abroad

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  • Tom

    This article is one sided. It fails to recognize that both sides used "human shields". The Palestinians used inhabited homes as do all urban guerrillas around the world. Should they face tanks from the middle of an open field? Particularly when they have no defence against tanks? Nevertheless, it is true that they take up positions in homes, and dig tunnels under inhabited areas in order to move around in combat. That is worth noting, and criticising if so desired.

    However, it is also thoroughly documented that in Gaza, as in all previous Israeli conflicts, the IDF infantry took Palestinian hostages and forced them to precede their advance. They fired into houses or threw grenades, and then ordered, under the threat of death, that their Palestinian hostages enter the targeted house and inform the IDF whether there are any survivors. Likewise they forced them to go from house to house, knocking on doors – to see whether they are fired on by possible gunmen inside. This is a most horrendous war crime for an organized state army. It is expressly forbidden by the laws of war. A state Army that uses terrorist tactics is no better than the terrorists themselves. It is not fair, but that is how the rest of the world functions. You will NEVER see US, British, French, Danish, Canadian etc soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan forcing Afghan civilians to "check out" possible Taliban ambushes.

    Your article is therefore most one-sided and un professional

    Tom

    • George Whitten

      The problem with your pre-supposition is the IDF routinely uses the practice of using human shields, yet the practice was outlawed in a landmark case by the Israeli Supreme Court in 2005.

      http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/10/mil-051006-voa08.htm

      Does Hamas condemn the practice? http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=g0wJXf2nt4Y

    • Chicago Joe

      I'll bet my bottom dollar Tommy you never served a day in any military. And just for the record you are so biased is not only your opinion, but your information seems a bit skewed as well. Personally, I've got no problem taking a guerilla fighter and forcing him to walk ahead of me or my men through a mine field they set for us. SAME difference. Yes it is well documented Hamas uses human shields, willing shields I might add, that aid, and abett them. It also should be pretty plain to you by now Israel does everything it can to avoid civilian casulties, while Hamas, and the Palestinians purposely target them. Hamas also does not recognize Israels right to exist, AND IS BENT ON HER DESTRUCTION. I personally believe Israel needs to exercise more diplomacy. Israel needs to negotiate with Hamas, Iran, and Syria, like they negotiate with Israel. Israel should deny their right to exist, and heavy handedly kill them all, while she still has the opportunity to. Because Tom it's apretty clear case of self defense, or is there something in your eye?

    • Byron

      Tom, Israel is in a battle of her life. You seem to have fallen in the trap or mindset of the world, that is prophesied! War is in no way pretty and the world is always quick to blast Israel for some of Her tactic's. But on the same note they fail to mention the vial tactics and deception that Israels enemies are masters (no wonder they get it from the father of lies) of! They (her enemies) are jealous for what Israel have done with that piece of land that was not much more than a baron scrub, another reason is that we are nearing the end of the age. They (Jews) turned it (Israel) into a Gem that's more than a great bread basket for Europe! So please wake up and seek the truth of the Creators love and redemption for time is short and His Spirit will not always be so near, now is the time to call upon Jesus Christ, try it, you'll be amazed how He'll open your eye's and you will see the truth of the great love that He abundantly offers! Again! Time is running out!

    • tom

      Tom you are an Idiot…Thats all I have to say!!..Tom also

  • Robert Mann

    I dont understand why Israel does not just drive them out. Take Gaza as their own and close the borders so they can't get back in. You say this would really anger the arab countries. Can they get much more angry than wanting you dead. Not just individuals but all Jews. Mabye they will kill Israelis several times instead of just once. I tire of all the Lies people repeat on behalf of the palistinians and until the world community says they are tired of the lies and quits support for them they will continue to be barbarians.

  • FresnoJoe

    The Heathen Rages But
    The God Of Israel Is Faithful And True

    "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

    "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name."

    "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God."

    "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married."

    "For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee."

    "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,"

    "And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

    "The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:"

    "But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness."

    "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people."

    "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him."

    "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."
    Isaiah 62

    His Name Is Salvation
    And He's Coming Back Soon

    Hallelujah!
    God Bless Israel

  • Nancy

    Mr. Mann…..do you understand the history of Israel being the whipping post of the Middle East from 1948 until the present day? She is expected to leave her borders defenseless, allow her inhabitants to be threatened, be bombarded with no recourse, and show perfect restraint. Why? Because most of the world could care less about the significance of Israel, they have no biblical or historical frame of reference, they couldn't even point to where Israel is on a map!! They fail to realize that Israel is God's timepiece; people just hear it on the news and change the channel…they are numb to war, it's not in their backyard, so it doesn't alter their lives. Their bleeding hearts buy the lies that Hamas and the PLO and all the surrounding countries' sell, using deceit and emotion to sway uninformed people. If little Israel used the force it needed to rid herself of her enemies, she would be condemned by the rest of the Middle East AND the US and the rest of the world. It's people are sick of war and have been worn down to the point that they will do anything to be able to have peace. And this is exactly where we re, and thank God we read the end of the book!

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