Seven Israelis wounded in Qassam rocket attacks

1/5/2005 2:50:00 PM GMT

Palestinian fighters fired two Qassam rockets at a military base in southern Israel on Wednesday, injuring seven Israeli soldiers, the Israeli army said.

The attack took place near the northern security fence in the Gaza Strip. It reportedly caused damage to a number of nearby buildings.

The casualties were rushed to the Soroka hospital in Beersheba and the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon. One of the injured was in a critical condition.

Izz al-din al-Qassam, the armed wing of Hamas, said that it was responsible for Wednesday’s attack to avenge the deaths of Tuesday, when Israeli forces killed at least eight Palestinian civilians in a strawberry field in northern Gaza.

Despite Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s promises to halt all military attacks against the Palestinians ahead of the upcoming elections, the army launched many operations in the Gaza Strip, claiming that they are aimed at stopping Palestinians mortar attacks.

In response to Israel’s bloody offensives across the Gaza Strip, Palestinian resistance fighters have recently intensified their attacks against Israeli targets.

Earlier Wednesday, the Israeli army said that two other missiles landed inside an Israeli settlement in northern Gaza, causing no casualties.

IDF officials said after Wednesday’s attacks that the Palestinian fighters will step up their attacks if there isn’t a quick military response, Army Radio reported.

“Resistance will continue”

Violence escalated in the region ahead of the upcoming Palestinian elections, planned for January 9, likely to be won by Mahmood Abbas, who demanded Palestinian fighters to disarm.

However, fighters defied Abbas’ calls to halt the attacks.

"Abu Mazen's statements shocked the Palestinian people and contradicted the consensus," said Sami Abu Zuhri of Hamas.

"Resistance will continue until occupation ends." He added.

Elsewhere, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian fighter at the Erez border crossing. The army said that the fighter attacked the forces before he was shot dead.

Three other Palestinian soldiers on the Palestinian side of the Erez crossing were injured during the shooting and were taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment.

Palestinian sources said that Israel banned Palestinian ambulances from entering the area.

Also, a convoy of 400 Palestinians Haj pilgrims leaving Gaza for Mecca in Saudi Arabia was turned back at Erez by the Israeli soldiers who were present at the scene after the shooting.

A total of 4,500 Palestinian pilgrims were allowed to make their journey to Mecca through Israel and Egypt.