BICOM

A missile was fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel yesterday, just a day after a similar missile from Gaza landed in the southern Israeli town of Sderot.

The missile landed in an open area without causing any injuries or damage, despite warning sirens sounding in one local community. The IDF said that it fired tank rounds at a Hamas position in response. As the de facto ruling power in Gaza, Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire and other attacks from the territory.

On Wednesday, another missile from Gaza landed near a primary school in Sderot. Although it did not cause any injuries, two people were taken to hospital for shock and damage was caused to nearby structures. Israel responded with initial tank rounds and then air strikes which targeted Hamas positions, reportedly including training facilities and missile supplies.

The Ahfad al-Sahaba-Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdis Islamist terror group said that it was responsible for both attacks. In Arabic and Hebrew statements, it suggested that the missile fire was a response to Hamas arrests of its members. Yesterday, Ahfad al-Sahaba-Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdis threatened to increase missile fire into Israel within 48 hours unless Hamas releases members of the group.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday that he has “no intention of launching a military operation” in Gaza. He told an IDF awards ceremony in Tel Aviv: “I can say on behalf of the Israeli government that we are a responsible and prudent leadership. We aren’t looking for adventures, and nobody is pushing for an escalation with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.”

However, he also emphasised that the government would not “tolerate any firing and any provocation from anyone against citizens of Israel or violating the State of Israel’s sovereignty”.

Writing in Maariv this morning, Yossi Melman reflects on this week’s events and concludes “it is clear from the conduct of both sides that neither wants another round of violence”.