Palestinian Militants Attack Jewish Towns
Kansas City Star  | 1-11-05
 

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip launched a barrage of homemade rockets and mortar rounds at Jewish towns and settlements Tuesday, hours after newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas extended his hand in peace to Israel.

The militants fired five mortar bombs at Jewish settlements, shattering the windows of a crowded synagogue during morning prayers, a settler spokesman said. No one was injured.

A homemade rocket also landed in the Israeli town of Sderot. No one was injured in the attack, but rescue services reported that several buildings and cars were damaged.

Israel has long demanded that the Palestinians halt the mortar and rocket fire, and Abbas has criticized the tactic as ineffective and damaging to the Palestinians.

The militants have stepped up the rocket fire in recent weeks, although there were no attacks during Sunday's presidential election.

Late Monday, Abbas made a public call for renewing peace negotiations, which Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants oppose.