Full Text Israel Political Brief September 1, 2015: PM Benjamin Netanyahu Opens the 2015-2016 School Year at Primary Schools in Ashdod and Ashkelon Remarks Transcript

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PM Netanyahu Opens the 2015-2016 School Year at Primary Schools in Ashdod and Ashkelon

Source: PMO, 9-1-15


Photo by Avi Ohayon, GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today opened the 2015-2016 school year at the Amirim primary school in Ashdod, where he was welcomed by the children with flags and songs, and at the Ramat Keramim primary school in Ashkelon. He was accompanied in Ashdod by Ashdod Mayor Dr. Yehiel Lasri and Education Ministry Southern District Director Amira Chaim, and in Ashkelon by Education Minister Naftali Bennett.

In Ashkelon, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “The first lesson in first grade is ‘Shalom first grade’ with the emphasis on shalom [peace].’ We educate our children for peace. A few kilometers from here, Hamas teaches is children the opposite of peace and it tries, from time to time, to fire at us, at you. And our policy is clear – zero restraint, zero let-up, zero tolerance for terrorism. We respond to every firing at our territory, whether by open or concealed action, and we also foil terrorism like we did yesterday in Jenin. I wish a quick recovery to the soldier who was wounded. We want peace but we first of all we must watch over our land, our children, we must watch over you. This is our first obligation – the security of our children.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu added: “There are two major things here – a great momentum of construction in Ashkelon and momentum in our education system. In education, we want you to study, expand your knowledge, know how to read and write, read the Tanakh and also write new things. You should know mathematics and sciences. I know that you already know how to use computers but you should use them not just to play games. You should be able to use them to connect to the entire world, to know what you want to know and to excel. Don’t just excel, be Zionists too. We have just the army and this land and we need to watch over it. I would like to wish all of you in first grade and up in his growing and developing school that you should study and succeed and above all be friends with each other. And remember, each one of you is different. Respect each other and love one another because we love you very much. May you have much success.”

Israel Political Brief August 8, 2014: Hamas renews rocket fire at Israeli cities

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Hamas renews rocket fire at Israeli cities

Source: MFA, 8-8-14

At 8:01, two rockets were fired towards Ashkelon, marking the renewal of rocket fire from Gaza, as Hamas refused to extend the 72-hour ceasefire. After 2.5 hours of rocket fire from Gaza, PM Netanyahu and DM Yaalon ordered the IDF to respond with force….READ MORE

Israel Brief February 26, 2013: Southern Israel hit by Gaza rocket for first time in 3 months

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Southern Israel hit by Gaza rocket for first time in 3 months

Source: JTA, 2-26-13

A rocket fired from Gaza hit southern Israel for the first time in three months….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 15, 2012: Gaza rocket fire continues to strike Southern Israel despite cease-fire — Southern Israeli schools are closed

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With rocket fire continuing, southern Israeli schools are closed

Source: JTA, 3-15-12

Schools were closed in southern Israel again as rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continued to strike despite a cease-fire.

The cities of Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi and Gan Yavne canceled classes for Thursday after several rockets targeted Beersheba the day before. Schoolchildren in Netivot were sent home Thursday after a rocket landed next to a school that morning while it was in session.

At least half a dozen rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel by mid-afternoon Thursday. Two rockets fired at Beersheba were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.

Islamic Jihad has denied responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire, according to Haaretz. The military believes small, radical factions are firing the rockets.

Early Thursday morning, the Israel Defense Forces said it struck a rocket-launching site and what it called a “terror tunnel” in Gaza. “The targeting of these sites is in direct response to the rockets fired at Israel,” including rockets fired Wednesday night against Beersheba, an IDF statement said.

“Hamas uses other terror organizations to carry out terror attacks against the State of Israel and will bear the consequences of these actions in any future operation embarked upon by the IDF in order to eliminate the terror threat and restore the relative calm to the area,” the statement added….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 14, 2012: Israeli retaliatory strikes hit Gaza amid cease-fire

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Israeli retaliatory strikes hit Gaza amid cease-fire

Source: JTA, 3-14-12

Despite a cease-fire that has held for about a day, Israel’s military struck two sites in Gaza in retaliation for attacks on Israel following a cease-fire announcement.

Israel’s Air Force fired on what it called two “terrorist activity sites” in northern Gaza early Wednesday morning, some 24 hours after the announcement of an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire.

A statement from the Israel Defense Forces said the attack was in response to rocket attacks from Gaza that struck Israel following the announcement. One of the seven rockets and mortars fired from Gaza landed in a parking lot in Netivot, injuring one person and damagingproperty.

Also Wednesday, Palestinian officials said an 8-year-old boy hurt in an Israeli attack Monday died of his injuries. A teenage boy had died in the same attack….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 13, 2012: As rocket attacks ease on Southern Israel, PM Netanyahu reiterates his Gaza policy

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As rocket attacks ease, Netanyahu reiterates his Gaza policy

Source: JTA, 3-13-12

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating his policy of responding to Gaza violence, said that Israel “will find” whoever breaks the calm.

“Our message is clear: Quiet will bring quiet. Whoever violates it or even tries to violate it — we will find him,” Netanyahu said Tuesday evening.

That evening, two rockets struck southern Israel after seven hours of calm. In the morning, hours after reports of an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire following several days of rockets being fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, at least seven rockets and mortar shells exploded in Israel….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 13, 2012: Gaza rockets land in Israel despite reported cease-fire

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Rockets land in Israel despite reported cease-fire

Source: JTA, 3-13-12

At least seven rockets and mortar shells fired from Gaza exploded in Israel after reports of an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire.

 

Egypt announced that a cease-fire between terrorist groups in Egypt and Israel came into effect at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

“We are still following the situation in the South and we need to see how it develops and whether the [rocket] firing really stops,” Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz said Tuesday. “It’s not over until it’s over. Quiet will be answered with quiet, and fire will be answered with fire.”

A Reuters report late Monday quoted unnamed Egyptian officials as announcing the cease-fire. Neither Hamas nor Israel would confirm the report, and the terms of the truce were unclear….READ MORE

Full Text Israel Political Brief March 13, 2012: PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech / Remarks to the Conference of Government Ministry Director Generals — Vows response to any Gaza truce violations

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PM Netanyahu’s Remarks to the Conference of Government Ministry Director Generals

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks earlier this evening (Tuesday), 13.3.12, in Jerusalem, at a meeting of Government ministry director generals:

“The recent activity is testimony to my government’s policy – aggressive action in order to prevent Israeli citizens from being hurt and increa…sing home front defense. Our message is clear: Quiet will bring quiet. Whoever violates it or even tries to violate it – we will find him. We achieved precise hits on those who perpetrate terrorism, terrorist commanders, terrorism infrastructures and many missiles that were aimed at our cities and communities. I would like to praise the excellent actions of the IDF, the ISA, the Air Force and those manning Iron Dome batteries. I would like to praise the local council heads who showed leadership and responsibility. And above all, I salute the residents of the south who showed fortitude in the face of terrorism. Their resilience is a main component of our national security. Israel seeks peace but we are prepared for any challenge.”See More

PM: We’ll target anyone who breaks calm

Source: YNet News, 3-12-12

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the security situation in the south during a Jerusalem conference on Tuesday. “We will target anyone who will try to disturb the peace,” Netanyahu said.

He added that recent activity in Gaza strip is a testimony to his government’s offensive meant to keep Israeli civilians secure. “Our message is that quiet will bring quiet. Anyone who violates it or even tries to violate it, our guns will find him,” said Netanyahu.

Netanyahu vows response to any Gaza truce violations

Source: Reuters, 3-13-12

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned on Tuesday Israel would respond to any attempts to violate an Egyptian-brokered truce that went into effect earlier in the day, ending four days of cross-border violence with Gaza militants.

“Our message is that quiet will bring quiet. Anyone who violates it or even tries to violate it, our guns will find him,” Netanyahu said in a speech in Jerusalem.


Israel Political Brief March 12, 2012: Egyptian official: Israel, Palestinians agree on truce to cease rocket attacks on Southern Israel

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Egyptian official: Israel, Palestinians agree on truce

A senior Egyptian security official confirmed a truce has been secured between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. (Reuters)

Israel Political Brief March 12, 2012: Egyptian official: Israel, Palestinians agree on truce to cease rocket attacks on Southern Israel

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Israel, Gaza militants agree to truce: Egypt official

Source: Reuters, 3-12-12

Israel and militant factions in the Gaza Strip have agreed to an Egyptian-mediated truce to end four days of cross-border violence in which 25 Palestinians have been killed, a senior Egyptian security official told Reuters on Tuesday.

The official said in a telephone call from Cairo that both sides had “agreed to end the current operations”, with Israel giving an unusual undertaking to “stop assassinations”, and an overall agreement “to begin a comprehensive and mutual calm”.

The agreement was expected to take effect at 1 a.m. local time (2300 GMT). There was no immediate comment from either side on the agreement. Previous ceasefire deals after earlier rounds of fighting have often got off to a shaky start….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 12, 2012: IDF official: Army ready for ground operations in Gaza — Iran behind Southern Israel rocket attacks

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IDF official: Army ready for ground op in Gaza

Iran encouraging Islamic Jihad to fire rockets at Israel, escalation could prompt ground incursion, senior officer says. IDF hasn’t used all measures at its disposal, he says

Source: YNet News, 3-12-12

Is Gaza war in cards? The current round of fighting between Israel and Palestinian terror groups could prompt Israel to launch a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, a senior IDF official said Monday.

The comments were made as Gaza terror groups continued to shell southern Israel communities with dozens of rockets and mortar shells Monday.

Two such rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system over Ashkelon Monday evening. Military officials said the advanced system shot down 85% of the rockets fired from Gaza in the past four days. Meanwhile, the IDF struck several targets in Gaza, killing at least two terrorists Monday night.

The official said that Iran and the Islamic Jihad’s headquarters in Damascus “are encouraging the terrorist organization to continue the current round of rocket fire until they obtain a significant gain.”

The recent escalation in Israel’s south, which has seen more than a million residents come under heavy rocket fire, has already been described by the IDF as “unprecedented in scope.” According to the senior officer, there is “no end in sight” to the current round of fighting.

“The IDF is prepared for any development, including a situation where we are forced to launch a ground operation,” the IDF official said. “We have everything we need and are ready to step it up if needed. There are many measures that we haven’t employed yet.”

“There is no effective control in Gaza, and no clear distinction between the political and military wings of Hamas… we are prepared to turn it up a notch,” he said….READ MORE

Full Text Israel Political Brief March 12, 2012: PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech / Remarks at the Knesset about Gaza rocket attacks on Southern Israel

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks earlier today (Monday), 12.3.12, at the Knesset:

… “The IDF is continuing to – strongly and decisively – attack the terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Whoever intends to harm our citizens – we will strike at him. The winning combination is that of crushing offensive capabilities, i.e. the ability of the IDF and its operations to attack the terrorists wherever they are, important defensive measures and – of course – the resilience of the citizens in the south. This combination of three things – offensive ability, defensive ability and civic resilience – allows us to accurately and painfully strike at terrorism. Yesterday, I met with 30 southern council heads. The backing and the understanding that I received are an example for leadership that is tested in moments such as these. The IDF is ready to expand its operations and continue them as necessary.”

Israel Political Brief March 11, 2012: Israel on alert for attack as PM Netanyahu vows to strike Gaza terrorists

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Israel on alert for attack as Netanyahu vows to strike Gaza terrorists

Source: JTA, 3-11-12

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak visits the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system in southern Israel, March 10, 2012.  ( Israeli Ministry of Defense via Flash 90 )
Israel's Iron Dome defense system near the Israeli town of Ashdod has intercepted a volley of rockets fired by terrorist groups from the Gaza Strip area, March 11, 2012.  (Flash 90)
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Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak visits the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system in southern Israel, March 10, 2012. ( Israeli Ministry of Defense via Flash 90 )

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel remains on alert against an attack from Sinai despite killing the terrorist leader that was planning an attack from there — an assassination that has led to a barrage of rockets raining down on southern Israel from Gaza by terrorist groups.

Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday that the Israeli military’s targeted killing two days earlier of Zuhir Mussah Ahmed Kaisi, the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committee terrorist organization, disrupted the organizing of the attack. Rocket attacks from Gaza by the PRC and Islamic Jihad have continued into Sunday.

The prime minister commended the security and intelligence services in the airstrike that killed Kaisi and another member of the Popular Resistance Committee. The Israel Defense Forces said the two were planning a terror attack that was to take place from Sinai in the coming days.

“We have exacted from them a very high price,” he said. “Naturally we will act as necessary.”

More than 130 rockets have rained down on southern Israel since the killings, injuring eight Israeli civilians, including one severely, according to the IDF. At least 17 Palestinians, including a 14-year-old, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza….READ MORE

Full Text Israel Political Brief March 11, 2012: PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech / Remarks at the Start of the Weekly Cabinet Meeting on Palestinian Rocket Attacks on Southern Israel from Gaza

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PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at the Start of the Weekly Cabinet Meeting

Source: PMO, 3-11-12

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:

“Good morning.  Last Friday, an arch-terrorist who organized many attacks against the State of Israel was eliminated.  He was in the midst of planning another attack that was directed at our southern border with Egypt.  We are still on alert regarding the attack and I have ordered the closure of the road on the Egyptian border.

But there is no doubt that IDF operations have disrupted the organizing for the attack; of course, time will tell to what extent.  Naturally, this led to another round with the Popular Resistance Committees, Islamic Jihad and other groupsWe are still in the midst of this round.  The IDF is striking at them in strength.  I would like to commend this operation and the security and intelligence services.  We have exacted from them a very high price; naturally, we will act as necessary.

I must also point out that the Iron Dome system has proven itself very well and we will, of course, see to its expansion in the months and years ahead.  We will do everything in our power to expand the deployment of this system.  In the end, the strongest force at our disposal is the fortitude of the residents, of the council heads, of Israelis and of the Government.  We are taking the necessary defensive and aggressive measures and I have no doubt that with this combination, along with the necessary fortitude, we will overcome these terrorist threats around us.  Thank you.

Israel Political Brief March 10, 2012: PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue striking those in Gaza who target Israel

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Netanyahu vows to continue striking those in Gaza who target Israel

Source: JTA, 3-10-12

In a meeting Saturday night with the mayors of southern Israeli communities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue hitting Palestinian forces in Gaza responsible for a barrage of rocket attacks.

Netayahu praised the residents for their resilience in the face of the rocket barrage.

“We will continue to hit whoever plans to attack citizens of the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said. ” At the same time, we will continue to improve home front defense including by means of additional Iron Dome systems, the effectiveness of which was shown again over the weekend.”

More than 130 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since an Israeli airstrike killed the leader of a Palestinian terrorist group.

Four Israeli civilians have been injured in the attacks, one severely, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF announced Saturday evening that the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted 28 out of 31 long-range Grad rockets targeting major Israeli cities,including Beer Sheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon.

The attacks began Friday night after Israel Air Force planes targeted and killed Zuhir Mussah Ahmed Kaisi, the secretary general, and another member of the group. The men were responsible for planning a combined terror attack that was to take place via Sinai in the coming days, according to the IDF….READ MORE

Israel Political Brief March 10, 2012: PM Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel will continue to strike anyone planning to attack its citizens

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Netanyahu: Israel will continue to strike anyone planning to attack its citizens

Source: Haaretz, 3-10-12

WATCH: IDF strikes target in Gaza Strip; Since Friday, nearly 100 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza; Iron Dome system intercepts 27 of 32 rockets targeted.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with regional council heads in Israel’s south on Saturday, and said Israel will continue to strike whoever plans attacks on Israeli citizens.

The meeting came as the escalation of violence that began on Friday continued on Saturday after several hours of quiet. Five rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel in the early afternoon.

rocket gaza A rocket being fired out of Gaza.
Photo by: AP

“We will improve the home front defenses even more,” Netanyahu said, “also by purchasing more Iron Dome systems, which proved themselves again this weekend.”

Since Friday, a total of nearly 100 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza. During the escalation, the Iron Dome system intercepted 27 of the 32 rockets it targeted. The missile defense system is designed to only intercept rockets identified as heading toward populated areas….READ MORE

PM Netanyahu Speaks with Southern Council Heads

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Saturday, 10.3.12, with the heads of the councils in the south that were fired at (Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malakhi, Gan Yavneh, the Eshkol Regional Council, the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council and the Bnei Shimon Regional Council). He asked the council chairmen to convey to residents his est…eem for their fortitude. The mayors noted the security that the Iron Dome system provides to their residents.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We will continue to hit whoever plans to attack citizens of the State of Israel. At the same time, we will continue to improve home front defense including by means of additional Iron Dome systems, the effectiveness of which was shown again over the weekend.”

Israel Political Brief October 30, 2011: Second cease-fire between Israel, Gaza reportedly brokered

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Second cease-fire between Israel, Gaza reportedly brokered

Source: JTA, 10-30-11

Rockets from Gaza continued to hit southern Israel as a second cease-fire in less than 24 hours was scheduled to go into effect.

 

Egypt reportedly continued to negotiate a cease-fire for Sunday night in an effort to stem a weekend assault of rockets and mortars on southern Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command on Sunday night announced that there were no more  restrictions on public gatherings, meetings, schools, non-essential jobs or shopping centers. Though the lifting of the ban means that schools can open as usual on Monday after being closed on Sunday, several southern Israeli communities such as Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba and Gan Yavne announced that schools would remain closed on Monday.

At least 39 rockets and mortars pounded Israel’s South over the weekend, including 11 on Sunday morning. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attacks. The attacks left an Israeli father of four dead and dozens wounded.

“We will do anything to defend Israeli civilians,” said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday afternoon following a meeting with security and intelligence officials. “I advise the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations not to test our capabilities.”

Early Sunday afternoon, reports that Islamic Jihad had accepted an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire surfaced following several hours of calm. That cease-fire came to an end Sunday afternoon when Israel’s Air Force struck a terror cell about to launch a rocket from Gaza to Israel.

At least one member of the terror cell was killed in the Sunday afternoon attack, according to reports.

Several long-range Grad missiles hit in and near cities throughout southern Israel, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gan Yavne and Beersheba. A school and a private home were damaged in the attacks, and several cars were burned. Some 200,000 children stayed home from school, and several colleges and Ben-Gurion University did not open for the start of the new academic year on Sunday as scheduled….READ MORE

Israel Brief August 26, 2011: Second Ceasefire Broken, Rocket Lands in Israel

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Second Ceasefire Broken, Rocket Lands in Israel

Source: Virtual Jerusalem, 8-26-11

A Grad rocket fired from Gaza landed in open land south of Ashkelon on Friday.gaza rocketf alls in ashkelon

Air raid sirens were heard before the rocket hit. No physical injuries or property damage were reported in the attack.

The attack came after the Islamic Jihad announced a new cease-fire agreement in Gaza early Friday morning. The agreement was reportedly brokered by Egypt and the UN.

The cease-fire announcement, made by Nafaz Azam, was unexpected as on Thursday Islamic Jihad had vowed to extend the range of their rocket capabilities, sending projectiles deeper into Israel. The terror group had said that it would triple the number of Israelis affected by rocket attacks.

At least 17 rockets and mortar shells pounded Israel on Thursday evening, just one day after Wednesday’s barrage of at least 21 such projectiles. On Wednesday a 9-month old baby girl was wounded by shrapnel from a rocket.

Most of the projectiles hit hit open areas near Ashkelon and in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council. A mortar shell struck the Erez crossing, which is frequently used by Gaza residents seeking to enter Israel for medical treatments, causing extensive damage.

Shortly after that attack the IAF reported a precise hit on a second terror cell seeking to launch a rocket in the area. Gaza sources said two Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed in the airstrike.

The immediate breaking of Thursday morning’s Islamic Jihad ceasefire is no surprise in light of the mass of rockets that struck Israel immediately following the Hamas-led ceasefire announced on Sunday.

Via israelnn.com

Israel Brief August 26, 2011: Gaza Terror Groups Announce New Ceasefire on Israel Rocket Attacks

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Gaza Terror Groups Announce New Ceasefire

Source: Virtual Jerusalem, 8-26-11

Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the other terror groups in the Gaza Strip declared another ceasefire with Israel late Thursday night, Voice of Israel Radio reported.

According to the report, rocket attacks aimed at southern Israel’s communities will stop at 1:00 p.m. Israel time on Friday.

The announcement came after at least 17 rockets and mortar shells were fired from Gaza on Thursday evening. The rockets and mortars exploded in open fields in Eshkol, the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, and south of Ashkelon. The “Color Red” warning siren was sounded in the areas under attack.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. another rocket was fired that struck near the Erez crossing. The IAF reported that warplanes struck a separate terror cell preparing a launch just before the Erez attack and scored a “precise hit.”

After 10:00 p.m., terrorists in northern Gaza fired yet another rocket at the western Negev city of Sderot. The rocket hit an agricultural facility east of the city.

Thankfully, there were no physical injuries in any of Thursday’s attacks, which came after at least 20 rockets were fired into Israel Wednesday night.

According to Voice of Israel Radio, the announcement of the latest ceasefire was surprising since only several hours before the announcement, the Islamic Jihad terror group criticized Hamas for suggesting that it stop firing rockets.

A spokesman for the Islamic Jihad had been quoted as saying that “whoever calls for a lull while Israeli aggression, including aerial strikes and bombardments of civil and military targets continues – must be living on a different planet.”

The latest ceasefire, however, may not mean much, as the terror groups have declared ceasefires in the past and almost immediately violated them. In fact, the latest round of violence came after Hamas declared a ceasefire on Sunday evening.

The Islamic Jihad used the fact that Israel killed one of its terrorists, who had been planning a terror attack in Gaza, as an excuse to launch a barrage of rockets at southern Israel.

via israelnn.com

Israel Brief August 25, 2011: Gaza Rocket Fire Continues to Rain on Southern Israel

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Rocket Fire on Southern Israel Continues

Source: Virtual Jerusalem, 8-25-11

More than 20 rockets were fired on southern Israel from Gaza during the night with strikes on Beersheva, Ashkelon, Sderot, Ofakim, Netivot and villages in the region, “IDF Radio” (Galei Zahal) reported. An 11-month old baby was lightly injured by the blast on one of the kibbutzim in the area. Damage was reported to a house in Sderot this morning.

The Iron Dome defense system successfully intercepted rockets kassam rocket from gazathat were fired on Beersheva and Ashkelon. Life has yet to return to normal in the region and cultural and sporting events including Ligat Ha’Al soccer matches that were postponed at the weekend and scheduled for last night had to be put off again on orders from the IDF.

In response to the ongoing attacks, the IDF bombed a band of Palestinians in Gaza firing kassam rockets. Reports say that six Palestinians were killed. The IDF also reported that during the night aircraft attacked a building used to store weapons in the northern Gaza strip, and that there were accurate hits.

via globes.co.il

More than 20 rockets from Gaza hit Israel

Source: JTA, 8-25-11

Terrorists in Gaza renewed rocket attacks on Israel, ending a brief lull.

More than 20 rockets were fired at Israel overnight Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. A 9-month-old baby was wounded when a rocket hit a home near Ashkelon. One rocket was intercepted near Beersheba by the Iron Dome missile defense system, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Israel Air Force planes on Wednesday night struck several targets in Gaza, including a weapons storage facility, a smuggling tunnel and a weapons manufacturing site, the IDF said. At least four Palestinians were killed and 20 injured in the attacks, Palestinian sources told Israeli media.

The attacks followed a day of quiet that came after five days in which southern Israel was struck by more than 100 rockets and shells fired from Gaza. The outburst followed Israeli airstrikes that came in the wake of the terrorist attack a week ago near Eilat in which eight Israelis were killed.