Militants barrage Israel with mortars, rockets

[Behind the Aegis]

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip bombarded southern Israel with mortars and rockets early Wednesday, burdening diplomatic efforts to revive a truce that expired over the weekend.

A civilian was badly wounded in an explosion at a house in Gaza City. Two other civilians were lightly wounded when a rocket failed to clear the border and landed on a house in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, Gaza health officials said.

Separately, two militants were killed when an explosive they were preparing went off prematurely.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza, said the bombardment was in retaliation for the deaths of three of its fighters in a clash with Israeli troops late Tuesday. Israel said the militants were planting explosives in northern Gaza along the border fence.

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[oberliner]

1. Rescue services on highest alert as nearly 60 rockets pound Negev

Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip bombarded the western Negev with dozens of Qassam rockets and mortar shells on Wednesday, burdening diplomatic efforts to revive a truce that expired over the weekend.

The Magen David Adom rescue service declared its highest level of alert by late morning, after nearly 60 Qassam rockets and mortar shells were fired at southern Israel. Some 40 of these were launched between 9 A.M. and 1 P.M.

The location of about a dozen of the rockets and shells were pinpointed.

One of the rockets exploded next to a children's playground in the southern town of Netivot and a mortar struck a direct hit on a house in Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev, causing extensive damage. A house in the community of Sdot Negev was also severely damaged after it absorbed a direct rocket hit.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1049394.html

[bemildred]

2. Gaza Rocket Fire Intensifies

JERUSALEM — Palestinian militants from Gaza increased the range and intensity of their rocket fire against Israel on Wednesday as the Israeli security cabinet met here and weighed options including broader military action or efforts for a renewed truce.

About 40 rockets and mortars had slammed into southern Israel by midday, the Israeli military said. The rockets hit the courtyard of a house and a water park in the coastal city of Ashkelon, a factory in an Israeli industrial zone at Nir Oz, near the Gaza border, and a house outside the Western Negev town of Netivot. The strikes caused extensive damage and widespread panic among the residents, but no serious injury.

The military wing of Hamas, the Islamic group that controls Gaza, said in a statement that the rocket fire was “a response to Zionist aggression” and to the economic embargo Israel has imposed on Gaza.

An Israeli force killed three Hamas gunmen on Tuesday close to the border fence in northern Gaza. The military said they were spotted laying explosives. Two more members of the Hamas military wing were killed on Wednesday near Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, according to Hamas. Hamas said they were killed by Israel after they had carried out a “jihadi” mission, but an Israeli military spokesman said he had no knowledge of any army activity at that time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/world/middleeast/25mideast.html?hp

[oberliner]

3. Why would they do this?

What is the motivation behind these attacks?

Are they goading Israel to invade Gaza?

If so, to what end?

If not, what is the rationale?

[Vegasaurus]

5. Yes, I think that Hamas is goading Israel

They want an invasion, and then to cry when Israel closes the border due to rockets.

Again, the Hamas babies never realize that there are repercussions for their actions.

And again, the innocent Palestinians suffer, as pawns to the evil of Hamas.

[IndianaGreen]

4. I welcome this as much as I welcome Rick Warren at the invocation!

This accomplishes nothing! It is more of the same crap that has kept this region of the world addicted to its own violence and irrational hatreds.

[sellitman]

6. Hamas will never stop this bloodshed.

They will not rest until Israel is no longer. Giving up land has been a waste.

How sad.

[Vegasaurus]

7. "Land for peace" was a joke

The Israelis have continued to compromise, to give back land, to allow prisoners' release, to negotiate.

All the while, Hamas stockpiles weapons, and continues on its course to annihilate Israel.

The IDF response should be swift and strong.

And there should be not a word said about 'giving back land' until it is clear that the Palestinians are able to negotiate about something, anything.

A fake truce with only a "few" rockets doesn't count.

[sellitman]

8. The Palestinians can't make peace among themselves.

What makes anyone think they can negotiate peace with their sworn enemies?

[Vegasaurus]

9. Of course they can't

which is why there will never be peace in the middle east.

The Palestinian factions have to agree first, but they are unable to find unity.

The Arabs cannot even get along with each other, but blaming Jews/Israelis makes it easier for them in some way.

Always easier than taking responsibility for themselves.