On the third day of Operation Cast Lead, Hamas sources reported that Israel Air Force (IAF) planes struck a target near the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who used the building as an office.
The IAF made 40 attacks overnight, mostly on weapons warehouses. Targets included the Islamic University, where Hamas set up a weapons development and production laboraties.
"Al Jazeera" reported last night that a senior Hamas official, Ahmed Fayed, a commander in the Izz al-Din al-Kassam brigades, was killed in one of the attacks. The home in Khan Yunis of another military commander, Mohammad Sharak, was also hit. Palestinians reports that there were no casualties in that strike. The IDF has declined to confirm the report.
The IDF Home Front Command last night ordered that air raid shelters in Beersheva, Gedera, Yavne, and in adjacent communities to be opened, because of the longer range of Hamas rockets. Residents within 30-40 kilometers of the Gaza Strip were instructed on how to respond if sirens are sounded. Residents will have just one minute to reach shelter from the moment a siren is sounded.
The IDF is concerned that Hamas will try to hit Beersheva. Yesterday, a Katyusha from the northern Gaza Strip hit Moshav Bnei Darom near Ashdod, a distance of 40 kilometers. Three people were wounded from shrapnel in a Grad rocket strike in Ashkelon.
Residents broke the wall along the Rafiah border with Sinai after the IAF bombed tunnels on the Palestinian side of the border.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 29, 2008
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