For the first time since Operation Protective Edge this past summer, the Israeli Air Force struck a Hamas terrorist site in the Gaza Strip on Friday night, in response a Qassam rocket that was fired from Gaza into southern Israel earlier in the day. The rocket attack marked the third time terrorists have fired a rocket into Israel since Operation Protective Edge ended in August. The Qassam rocket exploded in the Eshkol region near the Gaza border on Friday morning. Remnants of the rocket were found by Israeli security forces several hours later. No injuries were reported in the incident. "The IDF will not permit any attempt to harm the security of the citizens of Israel," the IDF said. "The Hamas terrorist organization bears responsibility" for the rocket fire. At a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony with IDF soldiers at the Western Wall on Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel's security takes precedence over everything and I will not ignore the firing of even one rocket; therefore, the air force responded to this firing by destroying a cement factory that served to rebuild the tunnels that we hit in Operation Protective Edge. Hamas bears the responsibility for any escalation. We will safeguard Israel's security." Also on Saturday night, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said, "The IAF airstrike in Gaza, which was in response to the rocket attack, was on a factory producing cement meant to be used to rebuild tunnels. This was a clear message to Hamas that we won't tolerate a return to the routine of a 'trickle' of rockets on our citizens. We view Hamas as responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip, and we know how to respond to the attacks if they don't know how to prevent fire against Israel." Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yellin responded with anger to the rocket attack and also criticized the government. "Anyone who thinks IDF deterrence is the solution for quiet in the Gaza border area does not understand that wars are decided by statesmen who have the courage to bring peace and security," Yellin said. "After Operation Protective Edge, there was an extraordinary opportunity to reach a long-term arrangement. Instead, we now find ourselves counting down the clock to the next escalation and war." Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prosor called on the Security Council to "immediately and unequivocally" condemn Hamas for the rocket fire. "The New Year may be just around the corner, but terrorists in Gaza are persisting with their old habits," Prosor said. On Saturday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, "The Israeli attack yesterday night on a Gaza site is a severe escalation. Hamas has warned Israel against the repetition of such irresponsible actions and calls on international community to prevent acts like the last Israeli aggression on Gaza." Abu Zuhri claimed Hamas was working with other groups in Gaza to preserve the post-Operation Protective Edge cease-fire with Israel. Meanwhile, Egypt announced on Saturday it would open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for the second time in two months to allow Gaza residents stuck in Egypt to return home. The crossing was closed in October after 33 Egyptian soldiers were killed in two attacks by Islamist militants in the northern Sinai Peninsula.
Credit: Reuters
On Friday night, the IAF targeted Hamas terrorist infrastructure in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson's Unit said. A direct hit was achieved, according to the IDF.
On Sunday morning, Ya'alon told Army Radio, "I hope we're not heading toward another escalation. This was a single rocket fired by a renegade group. Hamas pledged to take care of it and stop such incidents."
Ya'alon said Hamas was having difficulty rearming itself with weaponry from Iran and Libya, due to Israeli and Egyptian anti-weapons smuggling efforts.
Likud MK Danny Danon said on Saturday, "The Hamas rocket fire against Israel was additional proof to European nations that they don't need to wait for any further check as to whether Hamas is a terrorist organization."
