TEL AVIV Ñ Hamas gunners continue their missile attacks on Israel
despite talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas launched missile attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday toward the
Israeli city of Sderot. At least two people were injured in the missile
strikes.
On Wednesday, a Kassam-2 short-range missile landed on the roof of a
school dormitory. Two people were treated for shock.
Israeli military sources said the missiles were fired from the northern
Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have conducted sweeps around Beit Hanoun over the
last few weeks.
Hamas gunners were said to have moved south of Beit Hanoun to launch
attacks from the Jabalya refugee camp outside of Gaza City. Israeli and
Palestinian sources said that over the last few months Hamas extended the
range of the Kassam-2 missile, said to be at up to 10 kilometers.
Palestinians also intensified mortar attacks on Israeli communities in
the Gaza Strip. Mortar attacks were reported daily on Israeli civilian and
military targets.
PA Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has planned a series of meetings with
Hamas leaders, who have refused appeals for the disarming of the insurgency
group. Instead, Abbas has proposed a one-year ceasefire while he engages in
negotiations with Israel.
Abbas is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on late
Thursday. Israeli officials said the meeting will focus on security issues
as well as Israeli confidence-building measures toward the PA.