Escalation in south continues – after Qassam explodes near kindergarten in Ashkelon Coast Regional Council kibbutz, injuring girl, Israeli warplanes strike in Strip. Palestinian media say four injured at Hamas training facility

Ynet reporters Published: 12.21.10

The Israeli Air Force bombed several targets in Gaza Tuesday evening following an increase in rocket and mortar attacks emanating from the Hamas-ruled territory.


Palestinian media reported that a training facility in Rafah operated by Hamas' armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was among the bombed targets. A number of people were injured in the strike.

The Safa news agency reported of two Israeli aerial assaults. Four people were injured in the second strike, one of them critically, according to the report.



Tuesday morning saw a Qassam rocket explode near a kindergarten in a kibbutz within the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council just as dozens of parents were bringing their children to school.


A 14-year-old girl was lightly injured by shrapnel and glass fragments. She was evacuated to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Several people suffered from shock, including a young boy and a gas-truck driver.
residents said that the explosion took place only few meters from the gas-truck, what could have caused a huge disaster.

This came after 13 mortars fired at Israel from Gaza in recent days.



A defense establishment official said Tuesday morning that the recent escalation in the south was not random. "The terror organizations are trying to test the Israeli response to increased rocket fire."




Military sources told Ynet that the escalation was the result of internal Palestinian processes and terror organizations' anniversaries.



The Israel Defense Forces bombed seven targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday night in a bid to convey a firm message that Israel will not ignore the mortar and rocket fire. It was one of the most extensive attacks carried out by the Air Force since the end of Operation Cast Lead about two years ago.




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