THIS IS GETTING SERIOUS: Haniyeh's office building razed to the ground in IAF strike

The IAF sent three missiles slamming into the empty office building in Gaza City used by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh early Sunday. The building was razed to the ground and five people were lightly wounded, according to Palestinian sources.

The IDF confirmed that Haniyeh's office had been hit as well as about seven weapons labs and arms depots. The army said one Hamas gunman was killed in the raids.

Palestinians reported that that the IDF struck a target in the Sudeiniya neighborhood, killing a civilian and wounding two. They also said that the IDF fired missiles west of Gaza City. There were no reports of casualties.

Hamas issued a statement following the attack on Haniyeh's office, saying that Israel had "crossed the red line."

Meanwhile, a Grad missile landed at the entrance to Netivot on Sunday morning as Palestinian terrorists continued to attack the western Negev. The missile landed near the gravesite of rabbi and kabbalist, Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, also known as the Baba Sali. No one was wounded and no damage was reported in the attack, which marked the northern-most point to be hit by a rocket fired from Gaza.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday that the IDF operation against Gaza rocket squads would escalate, and that a broad ground operation was "real and tangible."

"We are not happy about it, we won't shy from it," Barak told Israel Radio. "There are many considerations about the timing," he said, without elaborating.

Barak made the comments prior to convening an urgent meeting of security chiefs in Tel Aviv to consider the IDF's response to the escalation of rocket attacks and violence in Gaza.

Among those attending the meeting were Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen Gabi Ashkenazi, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin and OC Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin.

As IDF troops entered the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, two soldiers and 54 Palestinians were killed, at least half of them gunmen. It was the deadliest day in the territory since Hamas seized power there last June.

Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired over 50 rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel, in defiance of the IDF assault.

Six Israelis were wounded, all but one of them lightly, in rocket fire that reached as far north as Ashkelon, 17 km. from Gaza.

Palestinians reported that at least two dozen civilians, including a baby, were among those killed in Saturday's operation and terror organizations said 25 fighters died. Health officials said about 200 people were wounded, 14 of them critically.

In all, about 80 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed since fighting flared on Wednesday, according to Palestinian sources.

The two IDF soldiers killed in Saturday's fighting were identified as St.-Sgt. Doron Asulin, 20, of Beersheba, and St.- Sgt. Eran Dan-Gur, 20, of Jerusalem. The lost their lives as their Givati Brigade units operated against terrorists in Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip. Asulin served in the brigade's anti-tank company and Dan-Gur served in the Shaked Battalion.

Seven other soldiers were also wounded during the operations in northern Gaza, and were airlifted for treatment to Beersheba's Soroka Hospital. One soldier remained in moderate condition while the others were listed in good condition.

The highlight of the IDF's operations against the Hamas terror infrastructure over the weekend came Saturday evening when a precise air strike blew up a truck carrying 160 rockets earmarked for launching at Israeli communities.

"Exact intelligence and quick location of the truck brought about a pinpointed strike," said the IDF Spokesman's Office Saturday, shortly after the hit.


[link to www.jpost.com]