Mortar shells, Kassams land in w. Negev

In latest truce violations, two mortar shells, three Kassams fired from Gaza; no casualties or damage.

Kassam field cool 248.88 (photo credit: AP)
Kassam field cool 248.88
(photo credit: AP)
In the latest violation of the faltering Gaza truce, terrorists fired two mortar shells at the western Negev on Saturday evening. The shells landed in open areas in the Sha'ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev regions, causing no casualties or damage. On Saturday afternoon, a Kassam rocket landed in the western Negev. Two rockets were fired Friday morning. No casualties or damage were reported in either attack. On Thursday, the IDF raised its level of alert along the Gaza border amid concerns that Hamas may try to launch a cross-border attack to coincide with a demonstration Sunday marking the founding of the organization, sources in Southern Command said. OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant ordered forces to prepare for a security incident targeted at Israeli civilians, or at soldiers deployed along the border. IDF officers have called for the resumption of military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the expiration of the cease-fire next Friday. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has however called for the extension of the cease-fire despite the firing of over 200 mortars and Kassam rockets into Israel in recent weeks. Meanwhile, in the area of El-Aroub, next to Bethlehem, several Israeli cars were damaged when they were pelted with stones thrown by Palestinians. Also Friday, Palestinian and Israeli left-wing activists clashed with Border Police forces in an anti-security fence protest in Ni'lin, west of Ramallah. No casualties were reported. Yaakov Katz contributed to this report