IDF strikes cell launching rockets into Israel; '2 killed'
Palestinians report two members of terrorist cell killed in Gaza air strike; attempted attack comes day after Hamas says it's "committed to restoring a de-facto ceasefire."
By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFFPalestinian terrorist 311(photo credit: REUTERS)The Israeli Air Force on Sunday launched an air strike on a terrorist cell of Palestinians attempting to fire rockets into Israel in Northern Gaza, Israel Radio reported.According to the report, two members of the cell were killed and three were wounded.RELATED:'IDF will have to carry out large-scale operation in Gaza'Rocket fire increases; IDF may deploy Iron Dome soonVilnai: Israel has strategic reason not to use Iron DomeUS budget process holds up Iron Dome expansionThe incident comes a day after Hamas officials said that its members in Gaza had agreed to halt their rocket fire at Israel if Israel stops launching strikes against targets in the coastal territory.Hamas spokesman Ismail Rudwan said after a meeting with faction heads over a surge in cross-border tensions, that Hamas was "committed as long as the occupation [Israel] was committed" to restoring a de-facto ceasefire.Moments before the meeting started, a Kassam rocket exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.Earlier on Saturday, OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo said on Saturday that "there is anarchy in Gaza and Hamas."Russo toured the house in the Negev that was hit Friday night by a Kassam rocket and stated that "it is difficult now for Hamas to turn the wheel back."Late Friday night a Kassam rocket exploded in Eshkol Regional Council area, causing damage to one house but no injuries.A local official said authorities were searching for a second rocket that had fallen in an open area. On Thursday, a rocket fired from Gaza exploded north of Ashdod. While there were no injuries, Magen David Adom crew treated a number of people for shock.
Earlier Friday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak confirmed that he authorized the deployment of the Iron Dome missile defense system.Speaking during a tour of the Gaza region, Barak said: "I authorized the IDF in the coming days to authorize the first operational deployment of Iron Dome batteries, here in the southern region."The test deployment, he said, "will continue for several weeks and the layout will vary with operational needs."The defense minister praised Iron Dome's technology, calling it an "extraordinary development" by the defense industry. He cautioned, however, that it does not provide a 100 percent solution to the rocket threat.The Iron Dome system will be part of the IDF's solution to the barrage of rockets fired into southern Israel from Gaza in the last week, a statement from the IDF spokesperson said.Iron Dome is designed to defend against rockets at a range of 4-70 km and each battery consists of a multi-mission radar manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and three launchers, each equipped with 20 interceptors named Tamir.
