MIDDLE EAST: Rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hits the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon

Record ID: 352764

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hits the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon
  • Date: 5th February 2009
  • Summary: WIDE OF CHILDREN WAITING IN BUS STATION, RETURNING HOME FROM SCHOOL AS RESULT OF ROCKET ATTACK (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) SHOVAL, STUDENT FROM ASHKELON, SAYING: "We came and were turned back. (Q: why?) Because there was an alarm and we were not allowed into the school." VARIOUS OF STUDENTS RETURNING HOME FROM SCHOOL
  • Embargoed: 20th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVA8M6ZGKXMHU56GI7XJRMO3IETP
  • Story Text: A rocket fired by Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip struck the Israeli city of Ashkelon on Tuesday (February 3), officials said, causing no casualties but dealing a new blow to a truce declared on January 18.
    Authorities said the rocket struck the heart of a residential neighbourhood, but luckily landed in an open area. One woman was lightly injured by shrapnel, and several people suffered from shock and were treated in the scene.

    "I fell here by the tree, someone helped me. Wow, I was so scared, may God protect me - real fear," Osnat, an eyewitness, told Reuters television.
    Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev blamed Hamas and said it was "Playing with fire."
    Some Ashkelon residents who gathered at the site of the rocket strike called for the delay of the February 10 general election in Israel, accusing candidates of focusing more on campaigning than on how to effectively deal with Hamas.

    "If Barak, Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni (leading candidates) are genuine in what they say in their election commercials, they should form an emergency government, delay the elections for six months, and terminate this phenomena called Hamas. To rip them to pieces until they wave a white flag and sign a submission document," said one resident.

    "This situation cannot go on, otherwise the residents of the south will boycott the elections and will not recognise the elected government - will not recognise it," he said.
    Despite the attack, the Ashkelon municipality decided to hold classes in schools as usual. But many parents felt it was unsafe and ordered their children home.
    There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack by any militant group in Gaza, which is still reeling from a 22-day Israeli assault billed as punishing Islamist Hamas for such cross-border attacks.
    There have been occasional rockets and mortar shelling since the ceasefire took hold, drawing stepped-up Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
    Ashkelon is 12 km (7 miles) from coastal Gaza, beyond the reach of the improvised rockets often fired by the Palestinians. Factory-produced Grads, which Israeli officials say are smuggled into Gaza from neighbouring Egypt, have a longer range.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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