IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT
October 2nd, 2009

IAF Struck Weapon Manufacturing Facility and Two Smuggling Tunnels in the
Gaza Strip

Last night, Israel Air Force fighter-jets targeted and identified hitting a
weapon manufacturing facility in the northern Gaza Strip and two smuggling
tunnels in the Rafah border area of the southern Gaza Strip. The attacks
were in response to the firing of one rocket and one mortar at Israel
yesterday, Friday, October 2nd, on the evening of the Jewish Holiday Succot.

Approximately 60 rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israel during
the last three months, including one rocket that hit the city of Sderot
during the holiday of Rosh HaShana and three mortars and one rocket that hit
Israel during the holiday of Yom Kippur. In total, more than 250 rockets and
mortar shells were fired at Israel since the end of Operation Cast Lead and
more than 750 hit Israel since the beginning of 2009. Throughout 2008, prior
to the operation, over 3300 rockets and mortars were fired from the Gaza
Strip at Israel.

The IDF will continue to respond harshly to any attempt to disrupt the calm
in Israel's southern communities.