Hamas rocket brings insomnia to Tel Aviv

Hamas rocket brings insomnia to Tel Aviv Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:12:56 GMT

The increasing range of Hamas rocket attacks has been the cause of fear among Israelis. A Palestinian Grad rocket has hit the Israeli town of Gredera, 30 kilometers south of Tel Aviv amid a full-scale offensive against Gaza. The rocket hit a road in southern Gredera on Tuesday, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. The rocket was the first to ever reach the city and has left one wounded and four others "shocked". The landing of the rocket deep in Israel comes as officials in Tel Aviv fear that the increasing range of the retaliatory attacks may be an indication that Hamas has become capable of even devastating the Dimona nuclear complex. Israel, according to former US president Jimmy Carter, is the owner of the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East. Dimona is believed to be housing the Israeli nuclear warheads. Israel violated its six-month ceasefire with Hamas earlier in 2008 and says its launch of Operation Cast Lead is aimed at halting rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. According to Israel, the war on Gaza will end Palestinian rocket attacks, topple Hamas and prevent the group from rearming. Hamas, on the other hand, demands a cessation of Israeli attacks and the opening of the Gaza border -- which has been closed due to the 18-month blockade imposed on the strip by Tel Aviv. Israel escalated its attacks on Saturday and entered the strip with ground troops and armored vehicles. Despite the devastating offensive, Palestinian fighters have been continuing retaliatory attacks against Israel. Earlier in the day, Palestinians fired at least 19 rockets into Israel. The rockets, which hit the western Negev and southern towns of Netivot and Afakim, caused neither casualties nor property damage. Over 40 Qassam and Grad rockets were also fired at Israel on Monday. The Israeli offensive has so far claimed more than 584 lives and has left over 3000 others wounded. Israel has snubbed international calls for a ceasefire, vowing to continue the offensive. Defense Minister Ehud Barak had earlier said that the ground incursion into the coastal strip would continue until the Israeli objectives are met. HE/SB/AA