In a report on March 29, PCHR cited the landing of several missiles on
the house of Islamic Jihad leader Ahmed Al Batsh in Jabalia. Members of Al
Batsh's family, including a seven-month-old girl, were injured on March 29.
"The house was heavily damaged and the glass of the windows in three of
the neighboring houses shattered," the center said. "It should be noted that
a site used by members of one of the Palestinian factions is located to the
southwest of Al Batsh's house."
The Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad has been regarded as the most active
Palestinian militia in the war against Israel. This month, Jihad fired
its first extended-range Grad BM-21 rockets into Israel, which traveled at
least 45 kilometers and landed in such cities as Ashdod and Beersheba.
On March 26, another Palestinian rocket exploded in a Gaza City soft
drinks factory that belonged to the Murtaja Co. PCHR said a huge plastic
facility was destroyed in the explosion. No casualties were reported.
So far, the center reported three explosions from Palestinian missiles
and rockets meant for launch toward Israel. On March 24, a missile exploded
in a Gaza City wood factory owned by Bseiso and Alami Industry and Trade Co.
At least three people were injured.
The report did not cite the reason for the explosion. But PCHR has
asserted that Hamas and Palestinian militias were believed to have been
assembling and testing missiles, mortars and rockets in residential areas of
the Gaza Strip.
"These actions must be brought to an end because they become more
dangerous in view of the public and continued threats imposed by the Israeli
occupation forces," the center said.