http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/628573.htmlPalestinian militants fire Qassam rockets at Sderot
By Nir Hasson and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service
Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip launched on Friday three Qassam rockets at Sdeort, the second attack in as many days. The rockets landed in an open field and no injuries were reported.
Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the attack, claiming it fired 10 homemade rockets toward the southern Israeli town of Sderot. The militant group said the rockets were launched in retaliation for the killing of three Islamic Jihad leaders in Tulkarem earlier Friday.
The two rocket-firing incidents are the first since Israel had completed its withdrawal from the Strip bringing an end to 38 years of military rule.
The last time Palestinians fired Qassam rockets was while IDF forces were withdrawing from the Strip last week. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said following the completion of the pullout that Israel would apply a ?zero tolerance? policy against Qassam fire and other terror attacks from the Strip.
Also on the last day of the withdrawal, a second incident occurred along the northern Gaza border, near Netiv Ha'asara, when dozens of Palestinian youngsters threw stones into Israel near the security fence.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Major General Dan Halutz hinted this week that Hamas is on the verge of producing a new Qassam rocket with a 15-kilometer range.
The new rocket would endanger many communities in the south, including Ashkelon. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Sycamore Ranch could also be at risk.
In an interview with Halochem, a magazine for disabled IDF veterans, Halutz said "days would tell" whether the terror organizations could launch Qassam rockets into Israel more easily.