Mofaz: No ground forces in Gaza

IAF helicopters fire at three Gaza sites, drop leaflets warning residents.

By AP, JPOST STAFF
idf tank 298.88 (photo credit: Channel 2)
idf tank 298.88
(photo credit: Channel 2)
In a statement marking the IDF's current approach to attacks from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday that the IDF would not send ground forces into the Gaza Strip in response to the recent barrage of Kassam attacks. Mofaz's comments followed an overnight IAF missile strike against an access route and two buildings in the Gaza Strip. IDF helicopters fired three missiles at the Gaza Strip overnight Monday in an attempt to prevent future Kassam rocket attacks on southern Israel. The first missile destroyed a bridge near Beit Hanun, reportedly used by terrorist groups as an access route to the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where they launch Kassam rockets at Israel. The bridge destroyed Tuesday has been targeted before. The army also fired at a building serving the Aksa Martyrs' Brigades, as well as at a building used to recruit new members to the Palestinian group in Beit Lahiya. The airstrike partially destroyed the buildings, leaving a big hole in the outer walls, shattering windows and burning furniture. One missile was fired into each building, Palestinian witnesses said. Palestinians in Beit Lahiya also reported that electricity was cut as a result of the missile attack. Early Tuesday, the IAF said that it planned to drop flyers over populated areas of the Gaza Strip, asking the residents to remain in their homes during the attack against terrorists in the area. The IAF missile strike marked an intensification in the response to Kassam attacks, which have been fired increasingly over the past few weeks, and had reached Ashkelon's industrial zone, the Zikim kibbutz and military base, the prime minister's ranch, and Sderot. Palestinians fired two rockets on Monday, one of which landed at Kibbutz Zikim.