JERUSALEM, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF)officials said on
Thursday that Hamas was behind Wednesday'sQassam rocket attack on a building
near Defense Minister AmirPeretz's residence in the southern Israeli city of
Sderot, localmedia reported on Thursday.
Israel's
Ha'aretz quoted IDF experts as saying that the rocketswere the kind developed by
Hamas, which have larger warhead andare more precise than those held by the
Islamic Jihad (Holy War).On early Wednesday, one of four Qassam rockets fired
from thenorthern Gaza Strip hit and badly damaged a residential buildingnear
Peretz's house, while another struck roof of another house inthe city.
At least one Israeli was lightly wounded in the rocket attacks.The Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility shortly after theattack, saying the rocket was of a
newly-upgraded type, calledQuds 4, with a range of 12 kilometers.
According to a report published by Israel's Yedioth Ahronothnewspaper, the
Hamas-made rockets are painted in green and red,which are distinguishable from
rockets manufactured by Jihad andother militant groups.
The Yedioth Ahronoth report quoted an IDF source as saying that"We will act
against anyone who carries out terror attacks againstus, regardless of their
political affiliation."
Meanwhile, Israeli security officials said that Hamas has beeninvolved in a
number of attacks carried out by other groupsagainst Israel since a mutual
ceasefire was reached over a yearago.
Hamas is still branded as a terror group by Israel, despite itselection win
and formation of a Hamas-led government.
Israel says that it will not deal with a Hamas-led Palestiniangovernment
unless Hamas recognizes Israel, renounces violence andaccepts previous peace
deals. Enditem
