Posted on 10/25/2005 12:21:38 PM PDT by anotherview
Oct. 24, 2005 8:19 | Updated Oct. 25, 2005 8:57
IAF attacks Gaza Kassam launch sites
By MATTHEW GUTMAN AND JPOST STAFF
Al-Aksa claims one of its members was killed overnight.
Photo: AP [file]
The IDF continued its response Monday night against the trajectory ammunition fired at Sderot from the Gaza Strip earlier in the evening.
IAF planes flew overhead, striking sites from where either Kassam rockets or mortar shells had been launched, and purposely creating sonic booms. Artillery was also fired at that area in the northern Gaza Strip.
In addition, the Air Force bombed Al-Aksa Martyrs' Bridade offices, and a building belonging to the Islamic Jihad was attacked in Rafah. Palestinians reported that a woman and her two daughters were wounded from that attack.
Army Radio reported that the aerial assault was expected to continue for a few hours.
Sderot's early warning system indicated five launches toward the city. IDF sweeps discovered the remains of two rockets or mortar shells, and no one was reported wounded in the attack.
Early Monday morning, the IDF raided Tulkarm in search of Islamic Jihad terrorist, and killed prominent Jihad member Louie Sa'adi.
The Jihad vowed to avenge Sa'adi's death, and this was probably the reason for the artillery fire into Israel, although the Jihad has still not formally claimed responsibility.
The Erez and Karni crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel have been closed.
Two Palestinian gunmen were killed in arrest raids in the West Bank town of Tulkarm before dawn Monday, including a top Islamic Jihad official.
One Israeli soldier was lightly injured when Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the troops from a passing car, an army spokesman said.
In an ensuing exchange of fire, the two Palestinian fugitives were killed. One of the men raised his gun and aimed it toward IDF soldiers; they shot and killed the man.
The Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades identified the gunman as one of its members, Majed al Askar. Al Aqsa has ties to the ruling Fatah movement of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
The other man killed was Louie Sa'adi, the mastermind behind the suicide bombing at the Stage nightclub, the Netanya suicide bombing outside of the Sharon mall, and an attempted terror attack in Shavei Shomron.
He was also involved in a car bomb in Mevo Dotan and three attempts to smuggle suicide bombers into Jerusalem.
Ephraim Brigade Commander Col. Aharon Haliba told Army Radio on Monday morning that Sa'adi's cell had been planning to attack Israel in the near future. "Louie Sa'adi's hands are covered in Israeli blood… I think that this injury to them [Islamic Jihad] on this day, on the eve of the holiday, saved many lives."
Sa'adi was released from prison in a deal with the Hizbullah.
The Islamic Jihad has called for revenge. "Our response to this crime will be unprecedented, in accordance with the status of the man," vowed Abu-Abdullah, the group's spokesman in Gaza.
Islamic Jihad has been ambivalent about a temporary truce accepted earlier this year by the Hamas.
A total of 26 Palestinian fugitives were arrested overnight, the army spokesman said Monday.
In the past month, 800 wanted Palestinians have been arrested.
AP contributed to this report.
So if giving Gaza to the Arabs brought this much peace, what will giving them more bring, World War III?
'purposely creating sonic booms'
"Oh the humanity!"
I think that Israel needs a few MLRS launchers. Another rocket attack, and respond with overwhelming force.
Mark
Did anyone believe it would bring peace? I certainly did not.
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