Occupation Bombard the Strip, Mofaz to Intensify Strikes against Resistance
Activists
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13374

GAZA, Palestine, February 4, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) -[Official PA website] -
The Israeli military tanks and artilleries last night fired at least 40
shells towards open areas in the northern Gaza Strip inflicting material
damages but no injuries were reported.

Israeli army sources said the air strikes came in response to rocket attacks
on Israeli settlement north of the Gaza Strip earlier in the day. Four
settlers, including a toddler, were injured when the missile hit a house in
Askalan city, occupied and seized since 1948. The rocket directly hit the
caravan and brought down a plaster wall, and the injureds were taken to
hospitals to receive urgent treatment.

On the other hand, the al-Quds Brigades, armed wing of the Islamic Jihad
movement, earlier Friday claimed responsibility for firing a missile at an
Israeli settlement north of the Strip.

The armed wing said that the missile was in retaliation to the Israeli
crimes and the assassination of one of its field commanders in Jenin, Nidal
Abu Sa'da, to the north of the West Bank.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) reported that the IOF artilleries fired
arbitrarily last night at least 30 shells at the north of Gaza Strip and the
east area of Bait-Lahia City, and caused terror and fear to the citizens
particularly women and children, there were no reports of injuries.

On his part, the Israeli Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz said that the elected
Hamas movement had a hand in launching 2 missiles at least last week, and
played an active role with Islamic Jihad as well as Fateh activists.

"No security for those who launch Qassam rockets, we will use all means
available to strike those who carry out terrorist acts against Israel, and
with regardless of their membership," Mofaz Said.

Official Gilad Erdan from Likud party said that Olmert's government must
understand that the time has come to protect residents of the south before
lives are lost.

An official in the Prime Minister's Office blasted the Palestinian
Authority, saying that it remained responsible for stopping such attacks.

"This was a brutal attack on an Israeli family on Sabbath's eve. The
Palestinian Authority can not and will not be allowed to shirk its
responsibility for preventing such attacks. It continues to not take any
discernable steps to prevent such attacks against Israelis," David Baker
said.