Rocket strike fails (Archive photo)
Photo: Meir Ohayon
Mofaz: Palestinian Katyusha strike failed
Defense minister says Palestinian attempt to fire Grad rocket fails due to technical reasons; Eiland: Gaza in midst of power struggle
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz confirmed during Sunday's government session that last Friday Palestinian terrorists again attempted to fire a Grad rocket from the Gaza Strip to Israel, as was the case on Election Day.
Mofaz added only 15 Qassam rockets were fired at Israel last week compared to 35 the previous week.
The Palestinian announced the attempted Grad attack on Friday, but the defense establishment only reported the incident Sunday. The launching of the rocket failed due to technical reasons.
Security officials believe terror groups hold more Grad rockets, which have a longer range than the Qassams, but some of those rockets are apparently improvised
Gaza power struggle
Earlier in the government meeting, National Security Advisor Major Giora Eiland said that many of the problems faced by the Palestinians are internal ones.
"There is a real battle for power, over who controls Gaza. There is tension between the wish to refrain from a civil war and the will to have power on the ground. Israel, however, does not need to intervene. It must continue to fight terror," he said.
Minister Zeev Boim said that Israel must continue to fight terrorism, while increasing pressure on Gaza-based terror groups.
"We must have a continuing policy of of tightening cooperation with the international community in order to isolate Hamas. With that, Israel does not have to hurry on the Palestinian issue. We see increased attempts by Hamas to move out Fatah and President Abbas, but these are internal Palestinian problems. When they take their decisions, Israel will have to take a step," he said.
Boim added that Hamas took control over the Palestinian Authority and has turned it into a terrorist entity.
"If indeed this turns out to be the case, Israel must take matters into its own hands. Israel must examine the steps of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas – he can declare a referendum or elections. The issue is at his doorstep."
At the start of a government meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that next week will see many State ceremonies – from Holocaust Day to Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
"Due to the security reality, we expect boosted alert and security in the coming days," he said.
