2 rockets hit south Israel
Projectiles fired by Palestinians in north Gaza land in open areas in Sha'ar
Hanegev Regional Council, south of Ashkelon; no injuries, damage reported
Shmulik Hadad YNET Latest Update: 02.06.09, 09:49 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3667690,00.html

A rocket fired from northern Gaza on Friday at around 9:30 am landed in an
open area south of Ashkelon. No injuries or damage were reported.

Earlier a Qassam rocket landed within the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council's
limits, but caused no injury or damage. Israel has made it clear that it
would respond "disproportionately" to any rocket fire emanating from the
Hamas-controlled territory.

The rocket fire followed an incident late Thursday on the Gaza-Israel border
in which IDF forces prevented an attack by a Palestinian man by firing shots
that apparently killed the assailant. The Palestinian approached the border
fence in southern Gaza and pulled out a hand grenade, which exploded when
the troops fired at him.

Over the past few days Palestinian gunmen have launched a number of rockets
toward Israel's southern region.

On Tuesday a Grad rocket landed between buildings in a residential
neighborhood in Ashkelon's city center as residents were making their way to
school and to work. Three people suffered shock, several cars were damaged
and windowpanes were shattered. That same evening the Israeli Air Force
struck targets in Rafah and Khan Younis.

Monday evening saw a Qassam rocket fired at the Sderot area. The Color Red
rocket alert system was activated in the city and in the Sha'ar Hanegev
Regional Council at around 6:50 pm, followed by a blast. There were no
reports of injuries or damage.

The rocket apparently landed near the security fence separating Israel from
the Hamas-controlled enclave. Earlier that day a number of mortar shells
were launched toward the Eshkol Regional Council area.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said this week that Israel was not gearing for a
second offensive in the Gaza Strip.

"We have no intention of embarking on Operation Cast Lead number two. We
said there would be a response (to the rocket fire) and we responded," he
said, "Our deterrence is intact. Hamas is barely picking up the pieces and
is looking for a lull. If we play our cards right and prevent further
escalation than we have a good chance of some peace and quiet."

First Published: 02.06.09, 08:00