Hamas reportedly arrests al-Qaida inspired group believed to be behind the rocket attacks in past three days.
By YAAKOV LAPPINGaza terrorists launch rockets 370(photo credit: IDF Spokesmans Office)
Hamas in Gaza arrested two members of an al-Qaida inspired group believed to be behind recent rocket attacks on the Sderot area, the AFP reported Thursday, citing sources close to the jihadi group.The source told AFP that Hamas domestic security forces arrested two "holy fighters," one of whom was released soon afterwards. The second man is still in custody, the source added.Tensions have risen rapidly in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip following the death from cancer on Tuesday of Maissara Abu Hamdiyeh, 64, who was serving a life sentence in an Israeli jail.Early on Thursday morning, a Palestinian mortar exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel. The mortar triggered the Color Red alert before landing in a field, and did not cause injuries or damages.The remainder of Thursday remained free of Palestinian projectile attacks on the South.The Mujahadeen Shura Council said it was behind twin rocket blasts in the Sderot area on Wednesday, which came in the morning hours, sending parents and their children, who were on their way to school, fleeing for cover.Hamas's interior ministry denied making any arrests of those firing rockets into Israel, however.Overnight Wednesday, the Israel Air Force struck two terror targets in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said the bombs fell in open areas.The IAF strikes came in response to two Palestinian projectiles fired from Gaza at southern Israel on Tuesday, one of which fell in the Eshkol Region and the second inside Palestinian territory.Israeli defense officials warned Hamas this week that a "drizzle of rockets" on southern Israel would not be tolerated, and would warrant a strong response by the IDF if it continued.
