Qassam, Mortar Barrage Hits Southern Gaza

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 24-12-2008
At least 14 Palestinian rockets and eight mortar shells were fired from the northern Gaza Strip towards the western Negev on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. One of the rockets landed near a factory in Ashkelon's industrial zone.
Following the ongoing rocket fire, "Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak instructed the war establishment to cancel the planned transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, "Israel" decided to allow the delivery a limited amount of humanitarian equipment at 11 am Wednesday, but the crossings are now slated to remain closed.
Two rockets hit Ashkelon in the last barrage, Wednesday morning. Four rockets landed near the city of Netivot. Two Qassams landed in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council limits, one landed in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council.
There were no reports of injuries in all incidents, but the "Israel" occupation Forces reported that a house in a kibbutz belonging to the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council sustained damage from a rocket fired overnight. A mortar shell hit the roof of a building in a military base.
The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for Wednesday morning's rocket fire. The brigades announced five of its fighters were martyred and identified them: Mohammad Ma'rouf, Ahmad abul Me'za, Raed Radi'e, Islam Jadallah, and Mohammad El-Halabi.
On Tuesday afternoon, three Palestinian fighters were seen approaching the security fence on the border with Gaza. They were trying to plant an explosive device along the fence when an "Israeli" outpost identified them. An exchange of fire ensued, during which the resistance fighters succeeded in detonating a bomb near the soldiers and throwing a grenade in their direction.