Hamas warcrimes continue: Two people wounded as Qassam strikes Sderot

Last update - 18:30 17/12/2008       
Two people wounded as Qassam strikes Sderot
By Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
 
Shortly thereafter, the Israel Air Force bombed two Qassam rocket launchers in Gaza. The launchers were destroyed, but it was not clear whether any gunmen were hit.

 

Earlier Wednesday, two rockets exploded near Ashkelon. Two people were treated at the nearby Barzilai Medical Center for hearing loss following the strike.

 

Another rocket hit an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, and another struck just south of Ashkelon. The rest exploded in open areas in the Eshkol area. There were no damages or injuries reported in the incidents.

 

On Tuesday, militants fired 11 rockets and a mortar shell at the western Negev. One of the rockets exploded in a soccer field next to Sapir College in Sderot. There were no injuries, but several people were treated for shock.

 

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rockets fired on Tuesday, saying they were a response to the Israel Defense Forces' killing of a top group commander in the West Bank earlier in the day.

 

Jihad has threatened to increase its cross-border rocket fire, despite the days remaining in the ruce. "Our rockets will not stop and it will be like the rain over all the Zionist towns around the Gaza Strip," said Abu Hamza, a spokesman for the Palestinian militant group.

 

Hamas has in recent days arrested several members of the smaller Palestinian factions responsible for the rocket fire. While the group's leaders announced Tuesday that they did not intend to renew the cease-fire, they also said they would not fire at Israel unless provoked.