At least two more rockets were launched from Gaza and hit Israel Sunday night according to the IDF Twitter feed, capping a testy weekend in which multiple rockets were fired and IDF forces were targeted along the security fence with Gaza. The IDF responded to the earlier attacks by hitting terror-related sites in Gaza. According to the IDF Twitter feed, included among the Gaza attacks on Israel this weekend was at least one longer-range missile that hit outside Beersheba, considered the “capital” of Israel’s south.
According to an IDF press release, on Friday an anti-tank missile that was fired at IDF forces damaged the security fence that separates Israel and Gaza. An explosive device was later detonated in Gaza when IDF soldiers arrived at the scene. The IDF said they responded with tank fire.
Saturday night, Israel responded to the weekend’s rocket fire from Gaza by hitting what the IDF termed “a weapon manufacturing site” and a “terror activity site.” The Hamas armed wing’s website claimed the attack targeted a “blacksmith workshop.”
Israel has long accused Gaza terrorists of placing military activities in civilian areas. The IDF strikes follow hits on terror activity sites earlier last week, which were also in response to Gaza rocket fire.
So far more than 30 rockets have been fired at Israel in 2012 alone. IDF spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said on Twitter that more than 620 Gaza rockets were launched at Israel in 2011.
The IDF statement on the latest attack said, “The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, the weekend violence follows the transport from Israel into Gaza on Thursday of more than 5,500 tons of tons of goods and gas. The IDF Twitter feed said that 219 tons of fruit were included in the shipment.
(By Staff, www.themideastupdate.com, February 19, 2012)