More Civilians Dead as Rocket Tally from Gaza into Israel Breaks 1,200 Mark Since Disengagement

Press Contacts in Rocket Range Available for Interviews [See Below]

More than 1,201 Qassam rockets have been launched by Palestinian militants from Gaza since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in August 2005. [1] Israel relocated nearly 9,000 residents from Gaza in late August, allowing the Palestinians to govern themselves. In return, the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority (P.A) has permitted militant groups to stockpile weapons, launch Qassam rocket attacks and to intentionally target innocent Israeli civilians.

Since Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, terror from the strip has increased. Within the last eight months four civilians have died and dozens wounded as a result of Qassam and mortar fire. Those killed include, a Bedouin father and his son and two Israelis.

A total of ten civilians have died as a result of Qassam and mortar fire launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, beyond the 1967 border. An additional seven people were killed prior to disengagement by rockets and mortars in Jewish communities within the Gaza Strip, including a foreign worker and two Palestinians. [2] [See list below]

In the last week alone, almost 70 Qassam rockets were launched from northern Gaza killing two Israeli civilians.

An Israeli government political-security cabinet meeting on Nov. 22 resulted in the decision to continue countermeasures against Qassam launchings and terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians in the Negev region. [3] 

Under the control of the Hamas government, Palestinians are now capable of launching Qassam rockets into the coastal town of Ashkelon, which lies 13 km (8 mi.) from the northern Gaza Strip. Qassams usually can travel up to 3-10 km (1.8-6 mi.), but Hamas' green light for continued terror against Israel has resulted in the creation of a new double-engine Qassam rocket by the military wing of Hamas and the build up of Grad-style Katyusha rockets that can reach targets within 18-30 km (11-19 mi.). [4]

In March 2006, Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched a Grad-type Katyusha rocket into Israel for the first time. [5] Four Grad-type rockets in total have been fired into Israeli territory.

All the Katyusha rockets that have been fired from Gaza were 122 mm, [6] the same as those found on the Karin-A ship captured by Israeli authorities in Jan. 2002. The ship was carrying a supply of weapons and munitions delivered by the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah and paid for by Iran, [7] the leading state sponsor of terror.

Iran, also a supporter of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Islamic Jihad, challenges Israel's right to exist and endangers stability in the region by pursuing nuclear energy despite objections by the international community. Iran's bid to receive technical aid for a heavy water reactor was declined on Thursday by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA board of governors will meet again on Friday Nov. 24 in Vienna to review a November 8 report by IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei, which outlines three years of Iranian defiance of the agency's attempted inspections. [8]

The 122-mm Katyusha rocket was widely used by Hezbollah to attack Israeli civilians in northern Israel during the recent Israel-Hezbollah war and is thought to comprise the bulk of its arsenal. [9]

In a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Nov. 14, Israel Security Agency Director Yuval Diskin outlined that following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Palestinian terrorist groups have smuggled into the Gaza Strip: [10]

• 33 tons of military-grade high explosives
• 20,000 assault rifles
• 3,000 pistols
• 6,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition
• 38 long-range Qassam missiles
• 12 shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft guided missiles
• 95 anti-tank rocket launchers
• 410 anti-tank rockets
• 20 precision-guided anti-tank missiles

The military wing of Hamas, in addition to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, have taken a large percentage of responsibility for firing the barrage of Qassam rockets that have struck southern Israeli towns in recent weeks. The statement below, from Nov. 19, which can be found on the Izz Eddeen al-Qassam Brigades site attests to their participation in the attacks. [11]

Abu Obaida, spokesman for the Hamas-affiliated Izz Eddeen al-Qassam Brigades, said  "It is not a secret that we are developing our military capabilities as we indeed have upgraded our Qassam rockets to the extent that it makes it easy for them to accurately hit their targets." [12]

Addressing a crowd on Nov. 21 at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that "Hamas' leadership is not only a threat to Israel, it's not only a threat to the moderates in Palestinian society, but it can also be a threat and can send the wrong message to the extremists within the moderate Arab states." [13]

Terror remains rampant in Gaza to the extent that the International Red Cross has temporarily ceased all Gaza activities. After two Italian Red Cross aid workers were kidnapped this week by Gaza militants, one of which was traveling with a Canadian passport, a spokesman for the aid organization said that the Red Cross would only work in the Gaza strip "in matters of life and death." [14]

Louise Arbour, former Supreme Court of Canada and the new United Nations (U.N.) high commissioner for human rights, witnessed Qassam rocket strikes firsthand when visiting Sderot on Nov. 21. During her tour of the western Negev four Qassams were fired from Gaza into Sderot, hitting a poultry processing plant and severely wounding Yaakov Yaakobovich. He later died of his wounds. [15]

According to U.N. spokesman Christopher Gunness, Arbour stated that "Qassams are illegal under international law," and that Israel "has a responsibility to defend its citizens" as long as legal measures are employed. [16]

The imminent threat of Qassam fire originating from Gaza led the Knesset Finance Committee this week to delay increasing defense budget funds in order to allocate a sufficient amount of resources to ensure that Sderot schools are protected against the bombardment of rockets. [17] Some classes in Sderot are currently being held in bomb shelters.

One of the Qassam rockets launched from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning landed near the courtyard of a Sderot school before classes were slated to begin. Students at the scene were treated for shock. [18]

Overview: November Qassam Statistics and Timeline
(According to the Israel Defense Forces Spokespersons Office)

In the past 22 days more than 156 Qassam rockets have been fired from Gaza resulting in the death of two Israeli civilians and causing injury to more than 100. Nearly 72 Qassams fell in October and some 15 rockets were launched in September.
 
Nov. 23 - Four Qassam rockets launched from northern Gaza, one landed near a cemetery Sderot.

Nov. 22 - Six Qassams were fired, two of which hit Sderot.

Nov. 21 - Six Qassams were launched from Gaza, four of the rockets landed in Sderot, killing one Israeli civilian.

Nov. 20 - Eleven rockets were fired, two of them hit the city of Sderot.

Nov. 19 - Five Qassams were launched, four of which landed in Sderot. One civilian is in serious condition, another two were lightly injured.

Nov. 18 - Four Qassams were fired from Gaza.

Nov. 17 - Three Qassams landed in the western Negev.

Nov. 16 - Two rockets were launched from Gaza.

Nov. 15 - Nineteen Qassams were fired from Gaza, three of which hit Sderot. One woman was killed and five civilians were injured, two of them were seriously wounded.

Nov. 14 - Eight Qassam rockets were launched, one of which hit Sderot.

Nov. 13 - Six Qassams were fired, one landed in Sderot.

Nov. 12 - Four rockets were fired from Gaza.

Nov. 10 - Three Qassams were launched from Gaza.

Nov. 9 - Seven rockets were fired from Gaza, four of which hit Sderot that wounded three civilians.

Nov. 8 - Fourteen Qassams were launched, two of which hit the city of Sderot wounding two Israelis.

Nov. 7 - Eight rockets were fired from northern Gaza, four of which hit Ashkelon. Four others landed in the western Negev.

Nov. 6 - Four Qassams were fired from Gaza, one of which hit Sderot.

Nov. 5 - Twelve Qassams were launched, three of which hit the city of Sderot.

Nov. 4 - Eight rockets were fired from northern Gaza.

Nov. 3 - Seven Qassams were launched by Palestinian militants, two of which exploded in the city of Sderot.

Nov. 2 - Six rockets were fired from Gaza. Two hit Sderot injuring two Israeli civilians.

Nov. 1 - Palestinians launched nine Qassam rockets - three landed in Sderot lightly injuring one Israeli civilian.

For October Qassam statistics

For earlier timeline of post-disengagement attacks against Israel 

List of Deaths Caused by Qassam Rockets and Mortar Fire [19]

Total Deaths Within Israel: 10

June 28, 2004 - Afik Ohion Zehavi, 4, killed when a rocket landed in his nursery school in Sderot.

June 28, 2004 - Mordechai Yosephus, 49, was killed when a rocket landed in a kindergarten in Sderot.

Sept. 29, 2004 - Dorit Inso, 2, killed when two rockets hit her residence building.

Sept. 29, 2004 - Yuval Abeva, 4, killed when two rockets hit his residence building.

Jan. 15, 2005 - Ayala Haya Abukasis, 17, killed when a rocket hit Sderot.

July 15, 2005 - A 22-year-old female was killed by a Qassam that struck a home in Nativ Ha'asara.

March 28, 2006 - A 17-year-old Bedouin and his father were killed when a Qassam rocket they found in the Nahal Oz area exploded.

Nov. 11, 2006 - Faina Slutzker, 57, killed when a rocket hit the street where she was walking, nearby the home of Defense Minister Amir Peretz.

Nov. 21, 2006 - Yaakov Yaakobovich, 43, died while at work in a Sderot poultry processing plant.

Total Deaths in Jewish Settlements Within the Gaza Strip, Before Disengagement August 2005: 7

Nov. 24, 2001 - Sgt 1st Class Medmon Barak, 26, killed when several mortar shells landed in the Neve Dekalim area

Aug. 24, 2004 - Tiferet Turner, killed when a mortar shell landed in the Neve Dekalim area.

Oct. 28, 2004 - Sgt. Michael Tsadik was killed when a mortar shell landed near an army base.

Dec. 14, 2004 - Assa Tap Tachkilda, killed when a mortar shell landed near a Ganei Tal greenhouse.

Jan. 2, 2005 - Nissim Arbiv, killed when a mortar shell landed in the Erez Industrial Zone.

June 7, 2005 - Salah Ameran, 55, killed when a mortar shell landed in the Ganei Tal greenhouse perimeter.

June 7, 2005 - Sue da Be, killed when a mortar shell landed in the Ganei Tal greenhouse perimeter.

English-Speaking Contacts Available for Comment in Sderot and Western Negev Region:

Municipality and Council Representatives

Yossi Cohen, Spokesperson of Sderot
Cell: 972-57-738-3770

Shalom Halevi, Assistant to the Sderot Spokesperson
Tel: 972-8-662-0206
Cell: 972-57-899-4586

Alon Schuster, Head of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council
Cell: 972-54-675-5111

Eliahu Segel, General Manager of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council
Tel: 972-8-689-7223
Cell: 972-54-675-5112

Michal Shaban, Assistant to the Head of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council
Cell: 972-54-675-5115

Community Leaders and Organizations

Gvanim, Community organization dedicated to several different projects throughout Sderot:
Hen, 972-54-668-9902

Aron Poulet, Head of social work services in Sderot
Tel: 08-6620273

Tami Sagie, Head Psychologist
Tel: 972-8-662-4000

Miriam Sasi, Head of the Education department in Sderot
Tel: 972-8-662-4000

'Sela,' A community project for Russian-speaking residents of Sderot:
Natasha , 972-50-795-5051

Raneta Shulomov, Russian speaking-resident and head of a social project in Sderot
Cell: 972-54-668-9014

Dalia Yosef, Head of a project that deals with the community protection services
Cell: 972-54-471-3268

Principals and Teachers

Eli Edri, Principal of school in Sderot
Cell: 972-52-607-0751

Sari Kalimi, Resident of Sderot, mother of three, special education teacher and therapist
Tel: 972-8-661-2821
Cell: 972-52-476-972

Adina Mastbaum, Resident of Sderot, mother of three, and special education teacher
Tel: 972-08-932-2221
Cell: 972-50-753-3363

Amit Orbach, Principal of school in Sderot
Cell: 972-54-443-6633

Atara Orenbuch, Mother of six and teacher in Sderot
Tel: 927-8-661-2869
Cell: 972-54-443-5588

Matin Ovadia, Principal of a school in Sderot
Cell: 972-52-607-0712

Shusha Sido, Head of a Sderot kindergarten
Cell: 972-50-683-1310

Mutti and Rivka Spanglet, Parents of three and teachers at a local school in Sderot
Tel: 972-8-684-9964
Cell: 972-50-865-2991

[1] "Behind the headlines: The threat to Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 21, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace
/Terrorism+and+Islamic+Fundamentalism-/Behind+the+headlines+--+The+Threat+to+Israeli+Civilians+from+the+Gaza+Strip+21-Nov-2006.htm

[2] Ibid.

[3] "Political-Security Cabinet Communique," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/
2006/Political-Security+Cabinet+Communique+22-Nov-2006.htm

[4] "Katyusha rocket 'fired from Gaza,'" BBC News , March 28, 2006,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4855056.stm

[5] Ibid.

[6] Katz, Yaakov, "Katyusha fired for the first time from Gaza," The Jerusalem Post , March 28, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=11434987
54886&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[7] Karmon, Ely, "Hizbullah and the war on terror," The Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Aug. 1, 2002, http://www.ict.org.il/articles/articledet.cfm?articleid=444

[8] Heinrich, Mark, and Strohecker, Karin, "IAEA freezes Iran nuclear aid over plutonium risk," Reuters , Nov. 23, 2006, http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=world
News&storyID=2006-11-23T121855Z_01_L23249429_RT
RUKOC_0_UK-NUCLEAR
-IRAN-ARAK.xml&WTmodLoc=World-C1-Headline-8

[9] Gordon, Michael, "Militants Are Said to Amass Missiles in South Lebanon," The New York Times , July 16, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/weekinreview/16isra.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[10] "Behind the headlines: The threat to Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 21, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace
/Terrorism+and+Islamic+Fundamentalism-/Behind+the+headlines+--+The+Threat+to+Israeli+Civilians+from+the+Gaza+Strip+21-Nov-2006.htm

[11] "Statements: Five Qassam rockets were fired at Sderot," Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, Nov. 19, 2006, http://www.alqassam.ps/english/statements/530.htm

[12] "Abu Obaida to Sderot settlers: Your leaders are deciving you," Palestine Information Center, Nov. 21, 2006, http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_20613.shtml

[13] "FM Livini to Int'l Institute for Strategic Studies: The world faces conflicts over values, not territories," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 21, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2
006/FM+Livni+addresses+Intl+Institute+for+Strategic+Studies+--+21-Nov-2006.htm

[14] Associated Press, "Red Cross suspends Gaza activities," The Jerusalem Post , Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=11
62378450272&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[15] Potter, Mich, "UN envoy gets close to conflict," Toronto Star , Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?page
name=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1
164149417497&call_pageid=968332188492

[16] Lazaroff, Tovah, "Sderot trying to cope with the daily barrages," The Jerusalem Post, Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1162378452828&
pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[17] Zrahiya, Zvi, "Reinforcement of Sderot schools to be funded ahead of defense budget boost," Haaretz , Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/790901.html

[18] Haaretz Services and Agencies, "4 Qassams strike western Negev, one near school," Haaretz , Nov. 22, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/791260.html

[19] "Qassam Statistics," Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson, June 13, 2006.