Re “As Shabbat Approaches, News Is Scarce in Israel”
[Editor’s Note: As Hamas terrorists continue firing rockets into Israel, sending frightened residents underground, our correspondent resumes her daily update.]
Dateline Jerusalem — The weekend was quiet, the cease- fire holding, to my surprise. It is to end at midnight, but Israel is expecting another barrage of rocket fire this evening. They do not expect Hamas to directly violate the cease-fire, but to allow smaller armed factions within Gaza to do so, just as the last time, so they can claim they were not in violation. Either way, Israel is anticipating rocket fire from Gaza before the official deadline.
Meantime, Israel indefinitely has stopped train travel south of Ashkelon, recently a favorite city for Hamas to launch rockets. Hamas said they will not be fighting a war in Gaza, but in Ashkelon next. I wonder how many tunnels have been built by Hamas that infiltrate Israel there. Three tunnel shafts recently were discovered in Israeli towns on the southern border, near homes, a kindergarten and a playground. Of the tunnels from Gaza destroyed, one-third opened up into Israel. Not comforting.
Even though Israel doubts an agreement will be reached, it believes no agreement is better than a bad agreement that compromises Israel's security. If there is rocket fire from Gaza, it will respond. Of there is no renewed rocket fire, Israel will assist in getting humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. To show Israel's good faith, Israel unilaterally lifted the fishing ban that it had placed on Gaza when Hamas attacked Israel at the beginning of this war.
Four days down, one to go. In the meantime, Israelis are enjoying the peace and quiet while they can. No matter what happens, Israelis will live their lives to the fullest, taking precautions when necessary. We cannot let Hamas or Fatah or any other terrorist group terrorize our citizens from living their lives.
L'hitarot. Shachar
