Israeli strike kills two in Gaza, Israel deploys anti-missile system
March 27th, 2011 - 9:58 pm ICT by BNO NewsGAZA (BNO NEWS) — Israeli warplanes on Sunday raided Jabalya refugee camp, north of Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding a man critically, Palestine News and Info Agency WAFA reported.
Medical sources announced the death of two Palestinians, 22 and 26. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Air Force aircraft targeted a terrorist cell preparing for firing rockets toward Israeli territory from the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the incident that Israel will not tolerate the attacks, the Jerusalem Post reported.
“In the last two weeks there have been parties attempting to disturb peace and security,” he said. “We don’t want to escalate the situation but we will not hesitate to activate the strength of the IDF.”
The incident comes after leaders of Palestinian factions in Gaza announced Saturday their commitment to the ceasefire if Israel does the same.
Meanwhile, the IDF announced that the Iron Dome missile defense system, which is expected to protect Israel’s southern communities from rocket threats coming from the Gaza Strip, had been deployed and will begin its operational trial on Sunday.
The order was given by Defense Minister Ehud Barak in light of the recent rocket attacks in southern Israel. The missile defense system is currently in an accelerated process of assimilation in the Israeli Air Force in order to becoming fully operational.
The Iron Dome uses sophisticated radar to track incoming missiles, intercept and destroy them away from its targets, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It also includes 20 Tamir missile interceptors.
According to the IDF, over 130 mortar shells, Qassam rockets and Grad rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory since January. From this amount, more than 56 rockets were fired last week.
Israeli forces escalated their aggression against the Gaza Strip during the last two weeks, killing 8 Palestinians in air raids on March 23, and injuring 12, mostly children.
The Palestinian leadership warned from an imminent aggression against Gaza and urged the international community to prevent Israel from attacking Gaza.
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- Seven mortar shells fired from Gaza Strip into Israel - Dec 21, 2010
- Israel fires at two Palestinians on Gaza border - Jan 18, 2011
- Militants linked to al Qaeda fire mortar rounds at Israel - Nov 21, 2010
- Five Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike - Oct 30, 2011
- US to give $680 mn for Israel's anti-missile system - May 14, 2012
- Israel will hit anyone planning to attack its citizens: PM - Mar 11, 2012
- Israeli air strike kills one Palestinian in Gaza - Jan 12, 2011
- Israel to deploy anti-missile system - Feb 20, 2012
- At least 10 people killed, more than 100 injured in clashes along Israel's borders - May 15, 2011
- Israel fears more rocket attacks - Mar 27, 2012
- Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessels - Nov 04, 2011
- Some 17 injured after Israel strikes suspected terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip - May 26, 2010
- Israeli warplanes bomb two Gaza tunnels, no casualties - May 10, 2010
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