Cease-fire taking hold in south

Moshe Ami, a 56-year-old man from Ashkelon, was killed on Saturday by a Grad rocket.

The last round of violence in the south appears to have come to an end, after Islamic Jihad declared a cease fire, mediated by Egypt. Islamic Jihad fired over 40 Grad and Kassam rockets from Gaza into Israel over the past two days, including 11 rockets this morning. The Israel Air Force carried out dozens of counter-strikes.

Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed said, "If the (Israeli) aggression is stopped, we will abide by calm," apparently realizing that the current round of violence was over.

The escalation in southern Israel continued in the morning, after Moshe Ami, a 56-year-old man from Ashkelon, was killed on Saturday by a Grad rocket fired from Gaza. Israel Air Force (IAF) attacked targets in the Gaza Strip in response.

“IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) reported this morning that there was no success in achieving an Egyptian-mediated cease-fire belying reports in the Egyptian press. The Islamic Jihad announced, "We are not currently willing to discuss calling a ceasefire."

In the northern Gaza Strip, three launching sites and tunnels were bombed, as well as two areas of terrorist activity in the south. The IDF Spokesman's Office reported that all targets were hit. So far, more than 40 Grad and Kassam rockets, and mortar shells have been fired at Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ofakim, Beersheva, Kiryat Malachi, Gan Yavne, Sderot, and other towns in the 40-kilometer range from Gaza. Schools in these areas, including higher education, will remain closed today. Residents of communities near the Gaza Strip have been told to keep with 15 seconds of the protected spaces in their homes, in the event of an air raid siren.

So far this morning, Israel Police reports that 11 rockets have been fired at Israel, including three fired at Ashdod. Two of these rockets were destroyed by the Iron Dome missile defense system, and the third fell in open territory. There were no casualties.

Earlier, Islamic Jihad leader Ahmed Al-Sheikh Halil, one of the heads of the engineering Al-Quds division, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, was killed. An Islamic Jihad rocket squad was killed. The Islamic Jihad has taken responsibility for the rocket fire, and says that it is just the beginning.

One of the Grad rockets yesterday hit a school in Ashdod, heavily damaging the building, which fortunately was closed for the weekend. Two sisters, aged 15 and 18, were injured.

Although Islamic Jihad is responsible for the rocket fire, the IDF Spokesman said in a statement that Israel views Hamas as responsible for all hostile actions against Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 30, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011

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