Gaza Terrorists Fire Qassam Rockets at Israeli Kindergarten

Gaza Terrorists Fire Qassam Rockets as Israel, Kindergarten Hit

Palestinian terrorists are intensifying their assault on Israel, this time launching two Qassam rockets from Gaza into the western Negev late Tuesday afternoon.

Israel National News reports that one rocket hit a local kindergarten, and while no physical injuries were sustained in the attack, the school was badly damaged. If the school had not already closed for the day, the attack would have resulted in a devastating loss of life.

INN reports that the other rocket detonated in an open area in the western Negev, adding:

The rocket attacks mark a continuation of the airstrikes-for-rocket-attacks paradigm that has defined Israel’s poor security situation in the south for many years.

Earlier on Tuesday, IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee a resumption of rocket fire from Gaza would necessitate a major operation aimed at changing strategic realities vis-a-vis Hamas and its terror allies in Gaza.

However, Gantz also balked at a prolonged operation, which many analysts say would be required for an operation to have a lasting impact on Gaza’s terror infrastructure.

The news of a Qassam rocket striking an Israeli school is perhaps not shocking, however, as Palestinian militants have a track-record of launching their assaults at civilian targets, and often from within civilian locations.

IDF Strikes Terror Targets in Gaza

IAF aircraft attacked a terror tunnel and a center of terrorist activity in northern Gaza on Tuesday night, the IDF Spokesperson said in a statement.

“The terror tunnels were designed to allow terrorists to infiltrate into Israel and carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” the Spokesperson said.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers and will continue to act decisively and strongly against anyone who uses terrorism against Israel,” said the statement.

IAF strikes tunnel, terror center in northern Gaza

The last paragraph is the most germane. Recall that Israel was already threatening to 'launch an offensive' into Gaza if the rocket attacks continued and today seems to be the terrorist's answer to that statement.

Israel usually makes good on their threats. In this powder keg, if Israel does launch an incursion into Gaza, there is no telling what may result from such an effort.