[IMRA: It remains to be seen if Israel will stray from its policy that
serious action only be taken after the Palestinians succeed in causing a
disaster. So far Israel has continued with its bombing of empty fields (and
sometimes empty structures). Curiously, if Amir Peretz does become Defense
Minister, he may actually opt for a stronger Israeli response since the
purpose of the appointment to the position of Defense Minister is to fill
out his C.V. for a run for PM in the next elections.]

5 Qassams land near Ashkelon

Rockets fired at Israel land near army base, factory in Ashkelon's
industrial zone. Employees say Qassam almost hit cache of inflammable
materials, could have caused disaster
Shmulik Hadad 4 April 2006
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3236087,00.html

Five Qssam rockets were fired Tuesday from the northern Gaza Strip at
southern Ashkelon. Two of the rockets landed in the area of kibbutz Zikim,
one fell in kibbutz Karmiya, one in the area of the Nativ Haasara community
and the fifth landed in Ashkelon's industrial zone, just south of the town.

As of now, no injuries have been reported. In response to the attack, the
IDF shelled Qassam launching sites in the Strip.

One of the rockets that landed in the area of Zikim fell near an army base.
The rocket that landed in the Ashkelon industrial zone could have caused
heavy damages, according to employees at the place.

"A great disaster was prevented today," a source at the industrial area
stated. "The rocket landed near a stockpile of highly inflammable materials.
One flare could have caused grave damages to the entire vicinity," he added.

Employees working near the Qassam's landing site at the time of the attack
said they heard a loud explosion. The Red Dawn alert system identified the
rockets' launching, and consequently all personnel were ordered to enter
reinforced rooms.

Tuesday's shooting marks the second time this week rockets have been fired
at Israel. On Sunday, a Qassam was launched at Israel's territory and landed
in an open field in the western Negev.

Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report

(04.04.06, 13:38)