FM tells UN envoy to file complaint on Gaza rockets
IAF attacks tunnel, terror-related targets in Gaza in response to rockets fired at western Negev; 4 shells contained white phosphorous.
By JPOST.COM STAFFwhite phosphorous 311(photo credit: AP)Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed UN envoy Meron Reuben to file a complaint with the international body over the barrage of rockets and mortar shells fired into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Friday, Israel Radio reported.Lieberman told Reuben to turn the UN's attention specifically to the fact that mortar shells containing white phosphorous were fired from Gaza on Friday. The UN-commissioned Goldstone Report condemned Israel for using white phosphorous during Operation Cast Lead.RELATED:Cabinet discusses readiness as Kassams hit South10th rocket hits South since High Holidays beganOn Friday night, the IAF attacked a smuggling tunnel in the south of Gaza, and claimed the attack was in response to the rockets and mortars fired into Israeli towns in recent days."The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip and for maintaining calm there."Palestinian sources reported that there were no casualties but damage was caused to property.Earlier on Friday, also in response to the rocket and mortar fire, IAF jets successfully struck three terror-related targets in Gaza.Palestinian sources reported that an Islamic Jihad training base was among the targets attacked by the IAF. Eight total injuries were reported in the airstrikes.The IDF also reported that the four mortar shells that landed in the Ashkelon Regional Council area earlier on Friday contained white phosphorous.The Salah al-Din Brigade claimed responsibility for the four mortar shells, which they said came in response to the IDF assassination of two members of the Army of Islam, an al-Qaida affiliated group, earlier this week.In addition to the four mortar shells containing white phosphorous fired into Israel on Friday, three additional mortar shells were fired towards the western Negev.
All the the shells exploded in open land.No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.Earlier on Friday a Grad rocket was shot from Gaza towards Israel.The Grad rocket was the first since July, and the first to land near Ofakim since Operation Cast Lead. The rocket exploded in an open area, injuring three cows and damaging a building.In addition, two Kassam rockets landed in the Merhavim Regional Council of the western Negev. No injuries and damage were reported.Another rocket was shot on Friday morning. It landed in Palestinian territory.Kassam rockets have been shot from Gaza towards the western Negev almost daily since 2001. The IDF Spokesperson's unit reported that over 180 rockets have landed in Israel since the beginning of the year.
