Saturday, September 24, 2005

Mofaz threatens ground operation if Kassams continue

From Jerusalem Post Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World: Sep. 24, 2005 7:19 Updated Sep. 24, 2005 13:42 By MARGOT DUDKEVITCH AND JPOST STAFF . . .

In response to the recent salvo of Kassam rockets against southern Negev communities, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed the Air Force to continue its offensive targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure in the Gaza strip and West Bank. Shortly afterwards the IAF launched missile strikes near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip at a number of Kassam launch-sites, the army said.

. . .Hamas claimed the attacks were in retaliation for the explosion of a truck carrying Kassam rockets during a rally in the Jebaliya refugee camp, killing 17. Hamas blamed the blast on Israel, but the IDF strictly denied any involvement.

. . .In a first response Saturday, Israel fired missiles at three suspected Hamas weapons workshops in Gaza and sealed the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The buildings were located in the Jebaliya refugee camp, the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City and downtown Gaza City.
Declaring an all out war on Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist infrastructure, Mofaz ordered Air Force operations to continue its offensive in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Mofaz also ordered the army to concentrate forces opposite the northern Gaza security fence, to be prepared to launch ground operations in the event that the situation further deteriorates.
At the same time, the defense minister demanded that the Palestinian Authority deploy its security forces in the northern Gaza area to prevent terror cells from perpetrating attacks against Israel. . . .

With Arieh O'Sullivan and AP

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