By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
BEERSHEBA, Israel – On December 30, long-range rockets fired from Gaza have landed around the southern city of Beersheba, 28 miles (46km) from the Gaza-Israeli border. Correspondents say it is the furthest the Palestinian militants in Gaza have managed to strike.
No causalities were reported as the rockets hit an empty school in Beersheba and an open area in the nearby city of Rahat; several individuals were treated for shock. Also, on December 31, two rockets hit the city of Ashkelon, injuring one person slightly.
Following the attack on Beersheba, an Israeli police spokesman said 860,000 Israelis were now in range of Hamas rockets. According to the UN, over 700,000 Israelis are under immediate threat due to the 40-km range of the rockets fired from Gaza.
On December 31, the recent increase in the range of rocket-fire, led Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to declare a “special security situation” of all Israeli cities and towns within 30 km of the Gaza perimeter. The declaration grants Home Front Command the authority to close factories, cancel conferences and events, and to conduct other civilian activities. The Israeli cabinet is required to approve the special status, as it has already done for Israeli cities and towns within 20km of the border.
According to Home Front Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, the Israeli air strikes in Gaza has impaired Hamas’ rocket firing capability, but it has not wiped it out. “”This capability exists throughout the entire area and while it was hit hard, it was not eliminated.” According to Israeli media, 100 rockets were fired from Gaza on December 30. Three Israelis were killed in separate incidents. Since the aerial campaign began on December 27, four Israelis have been killed in rocket attacks.
Also, Palestinian and IDF sources confirmed Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes on dozens of smuggling tunnels in the Rafah area, near the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This is the second time the tunnels have been bombed since the beginning of Operation Lead Cast. Israeli officials argue that the tunnels are being used to smuggle metal and pipes necessary for the construction of Qassam rockets. It is also believed that weapons and money destined for militant groups is being smuggled through the tunnels as well.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Gaza Rockets Hit Deep into Israel – 31 December 2008
Ha’aretz – As Rockets Fall, Peres Tours Ashkelon and Vows IDF is Ready for Anything – 31 December 2008
Jerusalem Post – Barak: “Special Security Situation” For Towns within 30 Km. of Gaza – 31 December 2008 l
Telegraph – More Than 700,000 Israelis Now in Range of Hamas Missiles – 31 December 2008
Relief Web – Israel/OPT: Situation Update 30 Dec 2008 – 30 December 2008
Yedioth – Grad Rockets Lands in Kiryat Malachi – 30 December 2008
