TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has been ordered not to retaliate
against most Palestinian missile attacks.
Military sources said Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has ordered the
General Staff to suspend its response to Kassam-class short-range missile
strikes from the Gaza Strip. The sources said that any retaliation would
require permission from Mofaz and acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"The government wants to prevent any escalation in the Palestinian
arena, particularly before the Israeli elections," a military source said.
"So, unless, there are serious injuries, we just don't respond to the
Kassams."
Over the weekend, the government approved military retaliation for a
Kassam missile strike on Feb. 3 that slammed into an Israeli home south of
Ashkelon. Four people, including a baby, were injured.
On Saturday, about half of the 54 families of Karmia, where the Kassam
struck, left their homes. The kibbutz has included those expelled from the
Gaza Strip in August 2005.
Military sources said Israeli artillery batteries fired 80 shells toward
the Gaza communities of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. There were no reports
of Palestinian injuries.
Palestinian gunners responded with additional Kassam attacks, one of
them striking a facility of the national water company, in Ashkelon. The
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the missile launches.
Military sources said the Israeli artillery strike was the first time
the military retaliated against Kassam attacks in more than two weeks. They
said Kassam missiles have been landing in and around Israeli communities
near the Gaza Strip virtually every night.
On Feb. 2, a Kassam missile landed near an unidentified factory in the
industrial zone in Ashkelon. The zone was said to contain strategic sites.
The military did not respond to the strike.
Earlier, a Kassam missile landed in the Israeli city of Sderot and a
resident was slightly injured. The military did not respond.
On Feb. 3, Hizbullah fired rockets toward Israeli positions along the
northern border with Lebanon. At least one soldier was injured.
Officials said Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora telephoned the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and appealed for an Israeli
ceasefire. They said the UN relayed Siniora's request to Israel military's
Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Udi Adam, who agreed to immediately halt
fire.
