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    Friday, November 21, 2008

    Israel: Hamas has for first time been directly tied to missile attacks

    TEL AVIV — A report by an Israeli government-sponsored intelligence center said the Hamas regime has raised its profile in the latest Palestinian offensive against Israel.

    The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center said Hamas has for the first time become directly involved in missile and mortar strikes against Israel from the Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported.

    "Another important facet of the recent escalation is that for the first time, there is direct Hamas involvement in the rocket and mortar shell fire," the report, titled "Significant Erosion of the Lull Arrangement in the Gaza Strip," said. "Moreover, Hamas publicly claims responsibility, as do the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Fatah and the smaller organizations."

    Until November 2008, the Hamas regime did not participate in missile, mortar and rocket strikes against Israel from the Gaza Strip, the report said. Instead, the regime allowed Jihad, the Popular Resistance Committees and other militias to conduct daily attacks.

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    The report, dated Nov. 16, said Hamas has ended enforcement of the ceasefire with Israel, launched in June 2008. On Nov. 14, the Israeli center said, Hamas halted fire, but allowed other militias to continue attacks.

    "Hamas and the other terrorist organizations have exploited the quiet created by the lull to continue their military buildup and prepare themselves for 'the morning after,'" the report said.

    The report said Hamas and its militia allies have been using the BM-21 Grad 122 mm rockets as well as the Kassam-class short-range missile. Several of the Grads have struck the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.

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