GAZA CITY Ñ Israel's military has captured seven short-range missile
launchers in the intensified effort to destroy the Palestinian military
industry.
The Kassam-class missile launchers were captured on Sunday during an
Israeli raid of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Israeli
military sources said the launchers were prepared for firing toward Israel.
On Sunday, six Kassam-3 missiles landed in Israel, Middle East Newsline reported. They fell in the
Israeli city of Sderot and in the Western Negev. It was the third
Palestinian missile attack on Israel in as many days.
Overnight Sunday, a combined Israeli task force entered Gaza City and
destroyed scores of workshops and factories identified as part of the
Palestinian Authority's military industry. They included about 100 lathes
used in the production of missiles and mortars.
"We are making a 100 percent effort," Brig. Gen. Gadi Shamni, head of
Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. "These operations are very complex. We are
very pleased with the results."
Shamni said the combined task force of elite infantry units, armored
units, engineering forces, helicopters and intelligence officers was working
harmoniously.
Palestinian sources said 12 Palestinians were killed in heavy fighting
with Israeli troops, supported by tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters.
The sources said five of those killed were senior members of ruling Fatah
and the opposition Hamas movements.
On Sunday, Israel's military responded to a new missile attack on the city of Sderot by destroying more than 100 metal facilities in a major operation against the Palestinian military
industry in the northern Gaza Strip.
A combined Israeli task force of helicopters, tanks and infantry entered
Gaza City on late Saturday and arrived in the northern city of Khan Yunis,
regarded as the launching pad for the firing of the Kassam-3 short-range
rockets. The Israeli force, which included 35 tanks, moved throughout the
city, destroying one metal shop after another.
The task force operated early Sunday under heavy Palestinian
fire. Palestinian insurgents fired anti-tank rockets and detonated bombs to
stop the Israeli advance.
The Israeli operation came hours after Palestinian insurgents resumed
Kassam missile fire toward the Israeli city of Sderot.
"This was one of the biggest military operations in the Gaza Strip,"
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Sunday. "Our target was the
infrastructure that produces these [Kassam] rockets. It doesn't mean that
they no longer have such capabilities."
Earlier, Israeli military demolition units blew up four bridges that
linked a Palestinian town used as a launching pad for missile attacks
against Israel. The bridges had connected Bet Hanoun to Gaza City.
On Friday, Palestinians fired three Kassam-3 short-class missiles, which
landed in the Israeli city of Sderot.
Military sources said the bridges were used by Hamas insurgents for
launching the Kassam missiles. They said the Kassam missiles were being
transported from nearby Gaza City.
Hamas spokespeople said the Islamic insurgency group has decided to
increase Kassam attacks in a message that it will not stop attacks on
Israel. Hamas is one of 12 groups that have been discussing with Egypt a
plan for Palestinian reconciliation.
