Members of Hamas preparing to launch a Kassam rocket into Israel
Photo: Channel 1
Posted on 03/28/2005 12:19:16 AM PST by familyop
Security forces arrested eight Islamic Jihad fugitives in raids overnight in the West Bank city of Jenin and the village Fahame south of the city. They were said to be involved in attempting to manufacture homemade rockets similar to Kassams to be used in attacks against Israel.
Troops were dispatched to the area to search for the wanted men before dawn Monday, after intelligence information had been received about their operations.
An IDF soldier sustained light wounds when a bomb was detonated near the troops. He was taken to hospital in Israel.
Security officials said cell members had carried out a number of failed attempts to fire the rockets.
They were unable to confirm reports that the cell members were in contact with members of Hamas who were arrested several weeks ago in Yamoun near Jenin and also involved in trying to manufacture Kassam rockets.
During the raid in Yamoun, at least one completed Kassam rocket ready for firing was found by troops who estimated at the time that two others had apparently been test fired in the hills.
In addition to the rockets, soldiers found a cache including a deadly roadside bomb, three pipe bombs and numerous containers of explosives and other chemicals for manufacturing bombs.
The "factory" hidden in a secret room at a metal works shop in the village was destroyed in a controlled explosion. Security officials estimate that a number of Hamas cells operating in the northern West Bank are making concentrated efforts to manufacture Kassam rockets to be used in attacks inside Israel, such as Afula.
Taking advantage of the relative calm that prevails in the area, terror groups are attempting to strengthen their capability in preparation for attacks against Israeli targets in the future officials said.
Members of Hamas preparing to launch a Kassam rocket into Israel
Photo: Channel 1
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Preparing for the Day After: Reinforcing Buildings in the Negev
The IDF is preparing for what it sees as the dangers of the disengagement: a program for the reinforcement of roofs in the Negev – those that are considered to be within rocket range of nearby Gaza.
The buildings of nurseries, kindergartens and day care centers within several kilometers of Gaza will be protected, according to the new Home Front Command army program.
The Home Front Command Headquarters began preparations for the program within the past few days.
Western Negev regional and local council engineers met with IDF representatives last week to discuss the logistics of the plan. Yesterday, Home Front Command representatives toured the towns that are to be included in the program. The army requested a list of all the buildings that must be protected, as well as the building plans.
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