Posted on 02/01/2010 11:59:42 AM PST by anotherview
Senior Palestinian source confirms explosive devices found on Ashkelon, Ashdod beaches were meant for attack on southern oil platform, cementing Israeli concerns that Palestinian groups are eyeing strategic facilities
A senior member in one of the Palestinian organizations confirmed Monday evening that the two explosive devices found on beaches in southern Israel were meant to be used in a future terror attack an oil rig in the south.
The confirmation verified various concerns in the defense establishment, that Palestinian groups will try targeting a strategic facility in Israel.
Earlier, an explosive device was discovered floating just off Hofit beach in Ashkelon. Several hours later, a second device was found on Kshatot beach in Ashdod. According to the police, both explosive devices were found hidden in barrels and were similar in makeup and originated from Gaza Strip.
Security sources said the devices weighed in at around 176lbs each.
The senior Palestinian source told Ynet that the attacks were planned as a joint operation of Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees' Salah a-Din Brigades and the Nabil Masud group, which is affiliated with Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.
The attack, he added, was to be in retaliation of "Israel's continuous crimes," and the Dubai assassination of Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Mabhouh's, for which the groups hold Israel responsible.
Sources in Gaza also told Ynet that Palestinian groups have recently began practicing underwater shooting and testing explosives at sea, and that the al-Quds Brigades have conducted training to that effect over the past few days.
According to the source, a special unit made up of operatives of all three groups, was able to launch four explosive devices to Ashkelon by sea overnight Saturday. Each device, said the source, was supposed to be detonated by remote control. One of the devices had been detonated, he added.
Israel Police have temporarily barred civilians from the Ashkelon and Ashdod beaches where the explosives were found.
ping
“It’s shelled by the arabs from Gaza with some regularity”
when was the most recent one? I haven’t seen it reported for a year or so
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Oh, it’s so routine it’s seldom mentioned. Typically they wholly miss the city limits.
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