RAMALLAH: In yet another strike violating a truce brokered last weekend, Israeli rockets were sent off to the eastern Shujaiyeh district of Gaza City on Monday. Witnesses told Palestinian news website Ma'an News Agency that up to 10 shells were fired from the direction of Israeli crossing Nahal Oz to the east of the city throughout the morning. Medics said three people were transferred to Shifa hospital in Gaza City, hit and hurt by tank shrapnel. An Israeli army statement said soldiers fired towards “a terrorist squad planting two explosive devices adjacent to the security fence… confirming a hit.” The Israeli military says Gaza militants use the area adjacent to the border as a launching ground for attacks and a place to plant explosives and plan abductions of soldiers. It often targets and strikes militants operating in the area. An Israeli military official said Tuesday that the military had been authorized to take all necessary steps to stop rocket fire from Gaza. This authorization includes the decision to launch a ground operation if necessary, a step that would see tanks rolling into Gaza. On Monday, Netanyahu spoke in front of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, warning of hard measures to counter Gaza rockets. “A security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone,” Netanyahu said. “It must also include offensive capabilities, the very foundation of deterrence.” A midst a periode of relative calm, violence has increased violently the past one and a half week. Last weekend, dubbed ”Bloody Sunday” by Palestinian media, saw the most severe fightings since August. Saturday and Sunday, two subsequent deals to put down arms mediated by Egyptian officials could not hinder the killing of 13 individuals in two days. A total of 12 Palestinians in Gaza and one Israeli in Ashkelon were killed in repeated firings between Gaza resistance groups and Israeli military. BM
