WarSclerotic

Rocket hits outskirts of Ahskelon; none injured – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Grad rocket hits road in southern city’s industrial zone for first time since Operation Pillar of Defense. al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claim responsibility

Neri Brenner

A Grad rocket fired from Gaza landed on the outskirts of Ahskelon. No injuries were reported.

The rocket landed on a road in the city’s industrial zone, causing some damage. This was the first time a rocket has been fired from Gaza at Israel since the conclusion of Operation Pillar of Defense in November.

The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, Fatah’s military wing, have claimed responsibility for the fire.

In a statement carried by the Palestinian Maan agency, the Gaza-based terror group said that the fire was its response to the death of Palestinian security prisoner Arafat Jaradat in Megiddo Prison on Saturday.

“Freedom will be achieved through sacrifice. We must fight the enemy with all means necessary. The resistance will continue,” the statement said.

The road hit by the rocket (Photo: Roee Idan)

The Color Red alert failed to sound prior to the incident. A military source told Ynet that the system recognized the launch as aimed at an open area, which does not trigger the sirens.

The Iron Dome battery that was stationed in the area during the operation has since been redeployed.

The IDF said that “Iron Dome batteries are deployed and redeployed according to situation assessments and operational needs.”

The defense establishment is scheduled to hold a situation assessment later on Tuesday

Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad told Ynet that, “Overall, our deterrence in the south is in place and peace in the area has been maintained, thanks to the IDF’s successful operation.

“We do, however, have to remain vigilant to ensure no threat arises. This was a single event, but we have to make sure that peace and quiet are maintained.”

Security forces have expressed concern that the growing unrest in the West Bank may prompt the Gaza terror groups to resume their rocket fire on Israel’s south.

 November’s military campaign ended with an Egyptian-brokered armistice and various understandings between Israel and Hamas, meant to maintain agreement.

The past few weeks have seen acceleration in the indirect talks between Hamas, Egypt and Israel in an attempt to galvanize the ceasefire agreement.

Several Israeli defense delegations have traveled to Cairo to that effect, while the Egyptians have stepped up their effort to curtail weapons smuggling into Gaza Strip.

This entry was posted on February 26, 2013 at 11:55 AM and is filed under Uncategorized. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.