Palestinian Weapons Production and Smuggling: What's New

December 31, 2005:

IDF forces surround a building in northern Jenin following intelligence information that several wanted Islamic Jihad terrorists were hiding in the building - which serves as a headquarters for Palestinian military intelligence.

IDF forces called for the commander of the headquarters to exit the building and turn in the wanted terrorists inside.

The commander and other Palestinian officers who exited the building denied the existence of any terrorists hiding inside the building.

However, subsequent searches reveal equipment and other evidence of the wanted terrorists having been present recently in the headquarters.

The Palestinian commander is questioned and admits that he aided the Islamic Jihad terrorists who were hiding in the building.

("Wanted Islamic Jihad Terrorists Aided by Palestinian Authority Intelligence," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 31, 2005).

December 31, 2005:

A British aid worker and her parents are whisked out of the Gaza Strip by British diplomats early Saturday, hours after being freed from captivity by Palestinian gunmen who abducted the family two days earlier.

Kate Burton, 25, a worker with the Al-Mezan human rights group in Gaza, was seized at gunpoint Wednesday with her parents, Hugh and Helen, in the southern town of Rafah. The parents had come to Gaza on vacation to visit their daughter, officials said.

(Amira Hass, "3 Abducted Britons Freed by Palestinian Gunmen in Gaza Strip," Ha'aretz, December 31, 2005).

December 29, 2005:

A Palestinian suicide bomber kills an IDF officer and two Palestinians at an army checkpoint near Tul Karm.

IDF sappers who inspected the scene said that the bomber apparently wore a suicide belt containing more than 10 kilograms of explosives, packed with nails and iron scraps to make it more deadly.

The suicide bombers was planning to blow himself up at one of the many children's events taking place in Tel Aviv during this week's Hanukkah holiday, army sources said.

Three soldiers and seven Palestinians were wounded in the bombing.

(Amos Harel, "Suicide Bomber Planned Attack at Children's Party," Ha'aretz, December 30, 2005).

December 28, 2005:

IDF advanced warning to Palestinians in Gaza:

In the absence of any action by the Palestinian Authority to stop terror originating from the Gaza Strip, and in light of the continued firing of projectile rockets from the Gaza Strip at heavily populated Israeli communities, as well as strategic facilities in Israel, the IDF intends to step up its activities against rocket-launching terror cells in the northern Gaza Strip.

In order to enable pinpoint activity against the projectile rocket launchers, while minimizing harm to the civilian population, the IDF addressed the Palestinian population living near projectile rocket launching grounds, via leaflets distributed from the air, and warned them that they are not to pass through certain defined areas for a limited period of time.

The IDF will allow the Palestinian population a number of hours in order to get organized, prior to the enhancement of its activity in the area.

At the end of this period of time, the IDF will step up its activity against the terror cells in the projectile rocket launching grounds, utilizing measures both from the air and from the ground.

The IDF will enable the Palestinian population to operate a humanitarian route.

The IDF calls upon the Palestinian residents to help themselves and act forcefully against the terror cells which operate from within their population and cause hardships and distress at their expense.

The IDF will not abandon the citizens of Israel in the face of terror, and will act with determination against the terror infrastructure.

("Advanced Warning to the Palestinian Population in the Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperon's Unit, December 28, 2005).

December 27, 2005:

A senior IDF officer tells Ha'aretz that Islamic Jihad has been upgrading their Qassam rockets...The officer also noted that the shelling barrages in recent weeks have been much more precise in finding their targets than in the past...

IDF personnel are impressed that Islamic Jihad is gradually closing the gap between their weaponry and that of Hamas, the organization that developed the rockets but lately has cut back on using them, military sources said.

However, neither organization has yet succeeded in extending the rockets' range.

The Qassam can travel a maximum distance of nine kilometers. Some of the rockets that landed at the southern entrance of Ashkelon were fired from a distance of eight kilometers, originating in the evacuated communities of Elei Sinai, Dugit and Nisanit.

Security sources believe Hamas is taking advantage of the relative calm in violence to focus on improving the Qassams' range. The sources said Hamas would soon be able to produce rockets with a range of some 15 kilometers.

("Excerpts from Amos Harel and Eli Ashkenazi, 'PM Orders Defense Chiefs to halt Qassam launchers in Gaza,' December 27, 2005, as translated by IMRA).

December 27, 2005:

The Al-Aqsa Brigade terror group claims to have Russian-made Grad missiles, which have a 25 kilometer (15 mile) range. The terror group warnings that if the IDF attempts to establish a buffer zone in northern Gaza, it will not sit idly by, but will opt to launch the missiles against Israeli targets.

"The occupation government will be the big loser," a statement from the group said.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command has been instructed to speed up the process of providing reinforcement for the homes of residents living within striking range of Gaza. As the range of the rockets fired increased however – the southern Ashkelon industrial zone was struck last week – IDF sources admit it is becoming increasingly less practical to rely on defensive measures.

(Ezra HaLevi, "IDF Launches Air Strikes in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, December 27, 2005).

December 27, 2005:

Following a number of Palestinian rocket attacks against Israeli communities, the IAF targets two buildings used by the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigades terror organization in the northern Gaza Strip:

- A structure used as a recruitment center in Beit Lahiya and a building used as a center of activity in the city of Gaza. The Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigades is involved in the planning and firing of projectile rockets towards Israel.

- A bridge near the town of Beit Hanun and six additional access routes in the northern Gaza Strip - which are used by terror organizations to reach launching sites.

("Summary of Terror Infrastructure Targeted From the Air by IDF Forces in Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 27, 2005).

December 26, 2005:

A Chanukah party attended by kindergarten children and their parents in kibbutz Sa'ad is disrupted when a Qassam rocket impacts nearby.

"This was a big miracle, because the Qassam rocket landed at a very small distance from the kindergarten during the Chanukah party," community director Sarah Evron said. "We must recall that kindergartens and all other educational facilities at Sa'ad are not fortified. Obviously, after (the attack) the party ended."

"We've been waiting long months for a solution in terms of fortification. It feels as though soldiers who are not protected immediately prompt fortification work, but we must remember we have children growing up here on the border," Evron said. "In our view, we must first protect children and only then soldiers."

(Shmulik Hadad, "Rocket lands near kindergarten," YnetNews, December 26, 20005).

December 23, 2005:

Israel intends to create a cordon sanitaire in the northern Gaza Strip to stop Palestinian terrorists from firing rockets and mortars into its territory.

The idea is not to create a security zone similar to the one it had in southern Lebanon for almost two decades, with troops and fortifications, but to enforce one with fire from the air, by artillery and possibly from the sea.

The plans are still being considered and no orders have been issued so far, authoritative military sources said. They seem, however, imminent.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz visited the headquarters of the brigade responsible for the Gaza Strip's northern border, near Nahal Oz Tuesday, and told reporters the defense establishment was "examining a series of steps to reduce the launching of Qassam (rockets) and we shall implement those steps in the coming days, weeks and months."

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in September. Palestinian militants moved to evacuated sites in the northern Gaza Strip and kept firing at Israel. From some of those sites one can clearly see -- and aim -- at the Israeli town of Ashkelon and at strategic targets between the Gaza Strip and that city, such as a power plant and fuel depots.

The Palestinian rockets did not have the range necessary to reach Ashkelon but following the Israeli withdrawal terrorists were able to bring their weapons closer to Ashkelon.

Some of those rockets hit two army bases, injuring five soldiers in one this week and scaring girls who were just recruited and were undergoing basic training in another.

(Joshua Brilliant, "Israel Plans North Gaza Security Zone," UPI, December 23, 2005).

December 22, 2005:

The IDF concludes that it has lost its deterrence against Palestinian terrorist groups.

Military sources said a report submitted to the General Staff asserted that Palestinian terrorist groups, particularly in the Gaza Strip, were no longer deterred by Israel. The report said Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have failed to stop Palestinian missile attacks on the Jewish state.

"We have lost all of our deterrence against the terrorists in the Gaza Strip," a military source said. "They don't care about our response or even if their missiles go astray and strike Palestinian homes.

("Israel Asesses Huge Drop In Deterrence," Middle East Newsline, December 22, 2005).

December 22, 2005:

Four IDF soldiers sustain light wounds and another soldier suffers light to moderate injuries after a Qassam rocket impacts in a military base south of Ashkelon Thursday morning. The troops hurt by shrapnel include lieutenant colonel Yossi Drori, a battalion commander in the Givati Brigades, and his deputy.

The rocket landed around 9:45 a.m. near the base's dining hall, which was crowded with soldiers and officers at the time of the attack. The battalion in question has been deployed to the area to address terror threats in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian sources in Gaza said Islamic Jihad's military wing, the al-Quds Brigades, was behind the rocket attack.

Troops at the base told Ynet about the panic that followed the rocket attack. "We heard an explosion near the dining hall," one soldier said. "At first we didn't understand what happened but within several seconds it became clear a Qassam landed here. Several soldiers were hit by shrapnel and we can still hear the noises ringing in our ears."

The small base where the rocket landed is currently home to Givati brigade and armored corps forces. Following the disengagements, the army initiated speedy construction projects at the facility in order to make it suitable for large forces to be responsible for IDF activity in the northern Gaza Strip. Construction work at the site has not yet been completed and army officials are now looking into the possibility of removing soldiers from the base for the time being.

Meanwhile, the IDF began firing artillery shells at northern Gaza Strip rocket launching sites in response to the latest attacks.

Another rocket fired earlier Earlier Thursday, a Qassam fired from the Gaza landed in an open area near the industrial zone south of Ashkelon. No injuries or damages were reported in the latest strike. Two day ago, Palestinians fired four Qassam rockets at Israeli targets. Two of the rockets landed in open areas near the southern town of Sderot and another one landed in an army base. No injuries or damages were reported in any of these attacks. In response, the army directed artillery fire at rocket launching sites in the northern Gaza Strip.

(Hanan Greenberg, "5 IDF Troops Hurt in Rocket Attack," YnetNews, December 22, 2005).

December 20, 2005:

Western intelligence sources note that Sudan has been a major source of weapons and ammunition for such terrorist groups as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah.

The Sudanese weapons, delivered via Egypt, are apparently far cheaper than arms originating elsewhere.

"It's [Sudan] become a huge source of weaponry for the Palestinians as well as for other militias in need of equipment," a source said. "There's an entire infrastructure that's proven highly reliable."

The sources claim that Palestinian terrorists began using the arms smuggling route from Sudan in 2003. They said the arms have come primarily from military surplus in the western Sudanese province of Darfour.

From Darfour, Sudanese smugglers transport the weapons to Egypt. The equipment is then brought over the Suez Canal into the Sinai Peninsula.

From the eastern Sinai town of Rafah, the weapons, ammunition and explosives are smuggled into the Gaza Strip.

The sources said that until 2004 Palestinian insurgency groups relied mostly on weapons and ammunition from Egypt and Yemen. But the groups turned to Sudan amid the war in Darfour, which sparked a huge weapons trade.

Officials note that smuggling has increased from the Sinai since Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005. They said Palestinian smugglers transport weapons from Sinai to the Gaza Strip via land and sea.

("Palestinians' Weapons Route Traced to Sudan's Darfour," World Tribune, December 20, 2005).

December 20, 2005:

A Qassam rocket impacts on an IDF base south of the town of Ashkelon.

Earlier, two Qassams fell on Sderot. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused in any of the three attacks.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz rules out the possibility of Israel launching a ground operation in the Gaza Strip to halt Qassam fire.

"We are preparing for all options. A ground operation is not on the agenda at the moment. We have plenty of room for other maneuvers at the time being," Mofaz said.

Mofaz said the IDF will continue to act against terror cells in the Gaza Strip, giving no details of the nature of future military operations. The defense minister said the IDF will not enter the Gaza Strip to occupy Qassam launching grounds, and noted that the IDF thwarted a number of attacks over the last few days.

A suicide bomber was arrested Monday when he attempted to infiltrate Israel from the Gaza Strip. "The terrorists want to smuggle suicide bombers into Israel through the Karni crossing," he said.

(Shmulik Hadad, "Qassam Lands In IDF Base," YnetNews, December 20, 2005).

December 19, 2005:

Israel Radio reports that security forces have captured a Palestinian terrorist who managed to infiltrate southern Israel from the Gaza Strip.

The terrorist, who was carrying an explosives belt, firearms and grenades, was captured near Kibbutz Nir Am, located adjacent to Sderot in the western Negev region near the Gaza border.

Security forces were involved throughout the night in tracking down the terrorist, who was captured alive.

He had apparently intended to carry out an attack inside Israel.

("Troops Capture Armed Terrorist who Infiltrates Southern Israel," Ha'aretz, December 19, 2005).

December 18, 2005:

- Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz notes that the defense establishment has received specific warnings of six planned Palestinian terror attacks and 43 other general warnings.

During the weekly Sunday cabinet meeting, Mofaz reports that violent anti-Israel activities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have increased over the past several days due to the continued failure of the Palestinian Authority to act against terror organizations.

He also notes that the IDF has bolstered its forces in the West Bank and is carrying out large-scale operations in the northern sector and around Nablus. More than 70 wanted Palestinians have been arrested and soldiers uncovered a weapons manufacturing laboratory in Nablus.

- Israel Air Force planes launch additional airstrikes inside the Gaza Strip. The army says it is targeting roads used by Palestinian terrorists for transporting Qassam rockets to fire into Israel.

Two missiles strike near a residential area in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, shattering windows and damaging houses.

"Four access routes have been targeted in the northern Gaza Strip by the air force," an army spokesman said. "The routes have been used by terrorists to reach areas from which they launch rockets and mortar shells at Israeli targets."

- Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fire a Qassam rocket that impacts just south of Ashkelon.

Islamic Jihad distributes a video of what it said was the launch of the rockets. The video shows the rocket placed on a launcher in the former Gaza Strip community of Elei Sinai, with Ashkelon off in the distance.

(Gideon Alon, Palestinians fire Qassam rocket that hits just south of Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, December 18, 2005).

December 18, 2005:

The head of Israel's Military Intelligence, Major General Aharon Zeevi, warns cabinet ministers that in the coming year the Palestinian Authority could split into two independent entities: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

According to Zeevi, the radical Islamic group Hamas would take political and military control over the Gaza Strip, which he dubbed "Hamastan," while in the West Bank the ruling Fatah party would form a separate "Fatahstan."

The head of the Shin Bet security service, Yuval Diskin, also warns the cabinet of a possible disintegration of the Palestinian Authority. "There is no central government in the [Palestinian] territories. Everyone does what he wants."

(Gideon Alon, "MI chief: West Bank, Gaza Strip May Split into Two Entities," Ha'aretz, December 18, 2005).

December 17, 2005:

The IDF assesses that Hamas supplied Palestinian terrorist groups with enhanced Qassam-class short-range missiles for attacks against Israel.

Military sources note that Hamas has relayed scores of extended-range Qassam missiles to such groups as the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad and the Fatah-aligned Popular Resistance Committees. The sources said these groups have fired the Hamas missiles toward Israeli targets to determine the range and accuracy of the projectiles.

"Formally, Hamas has pledged to honor a ceasefire arranged by the Palestinian Authority," a military source said. "So, rather than fire the Qassams themselves, they give them to their terrorist allies."

On Thursday, Palestinian terrorists infiltrated former Jewish communities in the northern Gaza Strip and fired an extended-range Qassam missile toward Israel. The missile landed in the industrial zone of the city of Ashkelon, which contains a naval base, port and oil terminal.

("Hamas Provides Missiles for Test Firing," Middle East Newsline, December 17, 2005).

December 15, 2005:

The IDF receives information regarding a suspicious vehicle in the area of Beit Jala, south of Jerusalem. IDF forces conducted searches in the region.

According to Lt. Colonel Eliezer Toledano, commander of an IDF force located in the area, "We found a car containing gas canisters and flammable substances. The car had rolled down a path leading from Beit Jala to the 'tunnel road', where it might have been activated against civilian vehicles on the road. However, the car hit a fence above the main road and came to a halt."

The car is detonated in a controlled explosion by IDF sappers.

("Car Bomb Attack Thwarted," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 15, 2005).

December 15, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket that impacts in an open area in Ashkelon's southern industrial zone, near the Carlsberg beer factory. There are no reports of injuries or damage.

The rocket caused a loud explosion across the industrial zone, which is located only 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away from the city's residential area.

Police officials said that the rocket was relatively big compared to other rockets that were launched toward Israel recently. The rocket was located about half an hour after it landed, and its radius was approximately 115 millimeters (about 4.5 inches).

A number of months ago, the Home Front Command completed the installation of the Red Dawn alert system in the city of Ashkelon. At first, the plan was to install the system only in the southern part of the city, but following consultations with security officials it was decided to install it all over Ashkelon.

Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri was alerted to the area immediately after the Qassam landed by workers in the industrial zone, who called the municipality to report the incident.

"From my point of view, today's rocket is no different than the rocket that landed in the same area two years ago," Mahatzri said.

"But one must not take what happened here today lightly. The defense establishment must accept the fact that Ashkelon was and will continue to be a target for terror organizations," he added.

Many workers in the industrial zone complained that their working places were not protected. According to Mahatzri, Home Front Command officials told him that there was no need to fortify the industrial zone.

However, he added, "if the terror organizations' abilities are improved, we will work opposite the Home Front Command in order to fortify the area."

Mahatzri claimed that the Red Dawn alert system was apparently only partially installed and that its operation system has not yet been installed in the southern part of the industrial zone. This issue, he said, will also be raised in discussions with the Home Front Command.

Minister Yisrael Katz said in response to the Qassam that "Israel's deterring ability has failed miserably. A government that promised decisive retaliation following every shooting toward Israel or hurting Israeli citizens, in actuality fires at empty areas in response to such shooting and is endangering Israel's security."

"It is preferable for Gaza's rooftops to shake than for the residents of Sderot and Ashkelon to serve as firing targets with no effective retaliation," he added.

Earlier Wednesday, three Qassam rockets were fired at the western Negev. At least one landed close to a southern community. Two other rockets fell in open agricultural territory.

("Qassam Hits Within Strategic Industrial Ashkelon Area," YnetNews, December 15, 2005).

December 14 - 15, 2005:

- The IAF targets two access routes in the area of Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza Strip). These routes are used by terrorists to reach the areas from which they launch projectile rockets at Israeli targets.

- Jebalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip: The IDF targets a structure used by the "Popular Resistance Committees" organization as a weaponry storage facility.

- Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip: The IDF targets an office used for terror activity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.

- The IAF carries out an aerial attack that targets a number of access routes in the area of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, used by terrorists to reach the areas from which projectile rockets are launched at Israeli targets.

- The IAF attacks a vehicle in the the northern Gaza Strip, in which several members of the "Popular Resistance Committees" organization were making their way to carry out a terrorist attack against Israeli targets.

("IDF Aerial Attack in Northern Gaza Strip of Vehicle En Route to Terrorist Attack," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 14, 2005; "IDF Aerial Attack of Access Routes Leading to Projectile Rocket Launching Grounds," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 15, 2005; "IDF Aerial Attack of Two Structures Used for Terror Activity in the Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 15, 2005; "IDF Aerial Attack of Two Access Routes Leading to Projectile Rocket Launching Grounds," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 15, 2005).

December 14, 2005:

IDF forces discover an explosives laboratory in the Nablus residence of Sameh Samir Sa'id Iyad, a Hamas terrorist who was arrested by IDF forces on November 15th, 2005.

Iyad served as the assistant of Amged Hinawi, head of the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in the Nablus area, who was killed in an IDF activity on November 14th, 2005.

The explosives laboratory in Iyad's residence was uncovered following information that security forces received during his questioning. Materials found there include an explosive belt which was ready for use, a projectile rocket, 60 kilograms of explosives, an electronic system used for cellular activation of a network of explosive devices, a small explosive device and a large quantity of raw materials used for the manufacturing of explosives.

The lab was detonated in a controlled manner by IDF sappers.

During his questioning, Iyad said that he had transported Hinawi to the explosives laboratory on numerous occasions, and had assisted him in transferring chemicals and explosive materials and in constructing of the explosives laboratory beneath his residence. In addition, Iyad said that he was present in the laboratory when Hinawi manufactured the explosive devices and explosive belts.

("Explosives Laboratory Uncovered in Nablus," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 14, 2005).

December 14, 2005:

The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has established a command center in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials note that Hizbullah, based in Beirut, set up the center in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli withdrawal in September 2005. The headquarters has been used to transfer money and orders to operatives in the West Bank.

"Hizbullah has set up a forward HQ in the Gaza Strip to provide a direct link with terrorists in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] to transfer funds and instructions," an Israeli government statement said on Monday. "Hizbullah conditions the receipt of such funds on the perpetration of terrorist acts against Israeli targets, regardless of the particular ideology of the cells and terrorists involved."

("Hizbullah Establishes HQ in Gaza," Middle East Newsline, December 14, 2005).

December 12, 2005:

Majdi Kamal Abdul Aziz Jabar Amar, born in 1974, from Kalil village in the Nablus area, a member of the Palestinian security services, was detained by the ISA and the IDF on 16.10.05. He was an Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade terrorist and was operated by Hizbullah in Lebanon, via a handler in the Gaza Strip. He was imprisoned in Israel in 1992-93 for involvement in disturbances; after his release, he perpetrated various shooting attacks, mainly at IDF forces in the Nablus area.

He admitted that for nine months prior to his 16.10.05 arrest, he had been in contact with a Hizbullah operative from Lebanon, known as Abu Raviya, in order to receive funds for his activities, along with Kalil Tanzim leader Wasim Mantsour. Assisted by his twin brother, Amar informed Abu Raviya that he was active in a seven-man terrorist cell (all of whom were members of the Palestinian security services) and asked for funds in order to purchase weapons and ammunition. He said that Hizbullah was a good source of funds for financing acts of terrorism against Israeli targets.

Prior to Mantsour's arrest in February 2005, Majdi Amar and his cohorts had received over $1,500 from Abu Raviya.

Mantsour had been the contact with Abu Raviya. However, the latter contacted Amar and informed him that future contacts would be via a contact named Abu Louay from the Gaza Strip. Amar soon received an additional $1,500.

Amar said that since his name was on the list of fugitives that Israel had given the Palestinian Authority, he had received NIS 400-700 monthly from the PA in exchange for a promise to refrain from anti-Israel terrorist actions. However, Amar continued perpetrating such terrorist acts despite the PA funds.

Throughout the current conflict with Palestinian terrorist organizations, Hizbullah has sought to establish itself as the sole directing influence, vis-a`-vis operations, for the various Tanzim factions and cells. In recent months, Hizbullah has set up a forward HQ in the Gaza Strip to provide a direct link with terrorist in Judea and Samaria in order to transfer funds and instructions. Hizbullah conditions the receipt of such funds on the perpetration of terrorist acts against Israeli targets, regardless of the particular ideology of the cells and terrorists involved.

("Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade Terrorist Arrested; Was Operated by Hizbullah," [Israeli] Prime Minister's Office, December 12, 2005).

December 11, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a mortar at a Jewish community near the West Bank (PA) town of Jenin.

'The Mujahideen of Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Brigades managed to fire their first ever rocket at the settlement of Zabed west if Jenin in response to the Zionists Crimes against our people,' said a leaflet claiming responsibility for the attack.

The groups pledged to continue their attacks on Israel and 'We will keep responding to the Zionists' violations, especially assassinations, arrests and incursions into our towns and cities.'

An Israeli army spokesman confirmed that a homemade mortar shell landed in the community.

("Militants fire first-ever homemade rocket at West Bank settlement," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, December 12, 2005).

December 7, 2005:

The IDF confirms reports that the Air Force fired a missile at a vehicle in the Gaza border city of Rafah, killing one terrorist and injuring 10 others.

The terrorist, Mahmoud Arkan, was a senior member in the Popular Resistance Committee. Arkan was a former policeman for the Palestinian Authority (PA), and was involved in an anti-tank missile attack that killed two people earlier this year.

Arkan, a weapons smuggler, also collaborated with Islamic Jihad operatives to carry out attacks against Israelis.

He was also reportedly involved in the murder of Dov and Rachel Cole at the Kissufim Crossing shortly before Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

(Ezra Halevi, "Terrorist Killed by Air Force in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, December 7, 2005).

December 6, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists have begun deploying an enhanced Qassam class missile.

According to Israeli military sources, the missile has a larger diameter and longer range than previous Qassams.

They said the enhanced projectile has expanded the strike range of Palestinian missiles fired from the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday, Palestinian gunners from the northern Gaza Strip fired at least six enhanced Qassam missiles toward new targets in Israel that impacted near the southern town of Netivot.

Netivot is approximately eight kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

At least one Israeli was injured in the attack.

("Palestinians Fire Enhanced Kassam," Middle East Newsline, December 6, 2005).

December 5, 2005:

A Palestinian suicide bomber kills at least five Israelis and wounds fifty others at the entrance to the HaSharon shopping mall in Netanya. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the attack.

The Israeli political echelon decides to adopt a harsh response to the bombing and ongoing rocket fire. IDF artillery fire will now be directed at built-up areas from where the rockets are being fired (rather than empty fields).

The IDF will employ loudspeakers to ask the Palestinian residents to clear the area before firing.

(Roni Singer, Arnon Regular, "At Least Five Killed in Suicide Bombing at Netanya Mall," Ha'aretz, December 5, 2005; Ze'ev Schiff, "Once Evacuated, IDF to Fire on Built-Up Gaza Areas," Ha'aretz, December 5, 2005).

December 4, 2005:

Moshav Shuva -

A resident of a nearby moshav tells Ynet: "The entire community is in panic, everyone heard the explosions, and people are panicking in an extreme way. This attack was not like others in the past, and it was much stronger in its intensity than the Qassams that fell here previously...We hope there will be solutions, we don’t have bomb shelters and we don’t have protected structures, because we are a veteran community."

Emergency services including firefighters, police, military, and ambulances have been summoned to the scene and are working to neutralize the fallen rockets.

(Anat Bershkovsky, "Negev: 2 Qassams Hit Moshav," YnetNews, December 4, 2005).

December 4, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fire 10km-range missiles at Israeli targets. Two impact in Moshav Shuva, southwest of Sderot. A third missile impacts in the old old industrial zone of the Gaza-Israeli terminal at Erez, abandoned after a series of terrorist attacks.

Israeli air force planes bomb Palestinian missile launching sites in Gaza and informs the Palestinian Authority via the US that it will no longer tolerate such attacks.

("Palestinian Qassam Missiles Keep Coming from Gaza for Third Day Running. No Casualties," Debkafile, December 4, 2005).

December 1, 2005:

Brig.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi notes that, "the number of incidents since we left Gaza is enormous."

In the last week alone, six explosive charges were discovered - eighteen since the withdrawal. The smallest charge weighed forty kilograms. The Gaza Division reports 75 incidents of light weapons fire and 130 Kassam rockets and mortar rounds. There have also been eight clashes with terrorist cells along the security fence.

(Commander of the Gaza Division: "This Isn't the Border We Intended," Yossi Yehoshua Yediot Ahronot-Hebrew, 1 Dec05, JCPA Daily Alert, December 1, 2005).