Military sources: This was a localized operation and more will follow.
Galei Zahal (IDF Army) radio reports that the "Red Dawn" alert warning of a rocket attack was sounded Sderot a short while ago, following the end of the IDF's operations in the Gaza strip. Givati infantry troops and tanks, which had been operating in the region over the last few days, returned to Israel this morning, although military sources stressed that this was a localized operation and that further operations would follow in the near future.
Five Hamas fighters were killed in nine separate attacks by the Israel Air Force last night. The IDF said the strikes targeted weapons storage dumps, one of which was close to the offices of Prime Minister Isamil Haniyeh, who was not at the site at the time.
Minister of Defense Ehud Barak said last night that Hamas bore responsibility for the escalation in the Gaza Strip and it would pay the price. Speaking during a consultation with IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, and General Security Service Director General Yuval Diskin, Barak promised that the IDF would continue its operations in Gaza in order to bring about a change in the current situation.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 3, 2008
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