Hamas Attacks, Israel Responds

YNET:

IDF strikes Gaza Strip targets
Hamas' Gaza headquarters reportedly bombed; IDF: Strike response to rocket fire
AP and Ynet

Palestinian security officials say explosions have rocked several sites in the Gaza Strip, wounding at least five people.

The targets hit by Israel included the Ansar compound in Gaza City, home to Hamas headquarters and government offices, Palestinian sources said.

The army confirmed operations in Gaza late Thursday, saying that IDF aircraft operating in cooperation with the Shin Bet security service struck terror targets in the northern Gaza Strip as well as a smuggling tunnel in southern Gaza. The targets were hit accurately, the army said.

The IDF said the attacks were a response to rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel in the last two days.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to hurt Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers, and shall continue to operate decisively and powerfully against any element that utilizes terror against Israel," the army said. "The IDF views terrorist group Hamas exclusively responsible for what goes on in the Gaza Strip."

Palestinian security officials said five people were hurt in an attack on a training base for security forces.

There was no immediate word on casualties from other attack sites.

Since Wednesday morning, three rockets and mortars shells were fired from the Gaza Strip landed in Israel.

More rockets: 2 Qassams land in south
Gaza terrorists continue to target southern Israel; no injuries or damages reported in latest attack

Ilana Curiel Published: 09.09.10, 21:59 / Israel News

For the second time during Rosh Hashana, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired rockets on southern Israel.

Two Qassam rockets fired from the Strip landed Thursday in an open area in the Shaar Hanegev regional council. No injuries or damages were reported in the attack.

Local residents said the Color Red anti-rocket alert system was activated in the area.

One Qassam rocket was fired from Gaza Thursday morning. The rocket landed in an open area as well, and in that case too no injuries or damages were reported. Security forces rushed to the area in order to pinpoint the landing site.

On Wednesday, Gaza Strip terrorists fired a mortar shell that exploded near kindergartens at a southern kibbutz. No injures were reported in that attack, but one of the kindergartens was slightly damaged.

Kindergartens at the kibbutz operate regularly on Friday and on Holy Day eves, yet fortunately the mortar shell was fired about 30 minutes before children were set to arrive at the site.

Jerusalem Post:

Third Kassam rocket hits western Negev towns
By JPOST.COM STAFF
09/09/2010 20:12

No damage, injuries reported as rocket hits open area; since start of Rosh Hashana four rockets have been fired.

A third Kassam rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening and landed in an open area in the Shaar Hanegev regional council.

No injuries or damage were reported.

Shaar Hanegev regional council spokeswoman said that loud explosions were heard in the area after the firing, Channel 10 news reported.

The color red alert system was activated as a result of the launch.

Earlier Thursday a Kassam rocket was fired at the Sdot Negev regional council and also landed in an open area. No injuries or damage was reported.

Thursday's rocket attacks comes after a mortar shell landed near several childrens' school buildings on Wednesday in a Sha'ar Hanegev regional council kibbutz, some 30 minutes prior to the students' scheduled arrival.

One of the buildings sustained light damage, and no injuries were reported. The school building impacted by the mortar was reinforced only at the roof and not at the side walls, like other protected buildings in the area.

Security officials decided to let school continue as usual.

IAF bombs Gaza after Rosh Hashana Kassam attacks
By JPOST.COM STAFF
09/10/2010 01:37

Army strikes Hamas offices in Gaza City, a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip and other targets in response to third rocket attack on Israel in two days.

The IAF attacked several terror-related targets in Gaza Thursday overnight. The air attacks came as a response to the third of three rocket attacks on Israeli population centers during the Rosh Hashana holiday.

Some of the targets publicized by the IDF included Hamas offices in Gaza City, a smuggling tunnel in the southern region of the Strip and what described as a "terror center" in the northern Strip.

No specifics regarding Palestinians casualties could be verified at the time of the report -although Palestinian security forces claimed at least five injured- and the IDF announced that all the IAF planes returned safely to their bases after the conclusion of the attack.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and will continue to deal firmly and with strength against any source that seeks to terrorize the nation," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit explained after the attack. "The IDF views Hamas as solely responsible for what occurs in Gaza and maintaining the quiet in the Strip."

Earlier Thursday evening, a Kassam rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and landed in an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev regional council.

No injuries or damage were reported.