Most of the rocket fire is being carried out by Islamic Jihad activists, activists from Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and members of local factions such as the Popular Resistance Committees.
For all intents and purposes, Hamas has been in control of the northern branch of the PRC over the past few months. Since the Palestinian elections, the movement has not been involved in the Qassam rocket fire, but has provided direct assistance to the PRC. Prior to the elections and despite an agreement on the „period of calm,” Hamas played an active role in the rocket attacks, with military officials estimating that the movement was responsible for nearly 20 percent of all Qassams fired at Israel last year. Despite recent concerted efforts by the Israel Defense Forces to curtail rocket fire from the Strip, Qassam attacks have significantly increased recently. At least 130 Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip fell in Israeli territory in January – more than double the 64 that landed in Israel in December 2005. Senior IDF and political officials have reiterated warnings to the Palestinians that Israel will be forced to adopt harsh military measures if the rocket fire continues. Options being considered include the possibility of cutting off the power supply to the Strip, and using heavier artillery fire that will be directed not only at open areas. Officials also have discussed the option of sending armored corps forces into the northern part of the Strip to push the rocket firers back. There also has been talk of adopting measures to cause residents of the northern Strip to flee their homes. As part of its efforts to combat the rocket attacks, Israel Air Force planes have dropped warning leaflets over the area – apparently to no avail. Artillery fire and other IAF operations also have proved ineffective in dealing with the rocket attacks. The current Qassam rockets have a range of just over 11 kilometers, but militants are working to increase this. For some time, Hamas has been trying to smuggle in Russian Grad rockets, which have a 24-kilometer range. Such rockets would be able to reach the Ashkelon power station and other strategic targets within Israel.
BPI
BPI
