PM Netanyahu regrets civilian deaths in Gaza shelling; Grad rockets hit Ashdod and Beer Sheba

22 Mar 2011 PM Netanyahu expressed regret that innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip were unintentionally hit as a result of IDF shelling carried out in response to Hamas fire at Israeli civilians.       IAF targets rocket launching in Gaza (IDF archive photo)

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2011/Statement_PM_Netanyahu_Gaza_shelling_22-Mar-2011.htm(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret that innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip were unintentionally hit as a result of IDF shelling. He emphasized that the shelling was carried out in response to Hamas fire at Israeli civilians. "It is regrettable that Hamas continues to intentionally rain down dozens of rockets on Israeli civilians even as it uses civilians as human shields. While the State of Israel has no intention of bringing about a deterioration of the situation, the IDF will continue to take determined action to defend Israeli citizens," the Prime Minister said. IAF foils terrorist attempt to launch Grad rocket at Ashkelon(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson) On Tuesday evening (March 22), Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked a cell of four terrorists in the Gaza Strip as they attempted to launch a Grad rocket towards Israel. A hit was identified and the IAF planes returned to their base safely. The terrorists were attempting to launch the Grad rocket a short time after another Grad rocket fell in open territory in Ashkelon, causing no injuries or damage. On Tuesday afternoon (March 22), mortars were fired from northern Gaza towards the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council in southern Israel. In response, the IDF fired mortars at the launching point in Gaza. It appears that Palestinians uninvolved in the original mortar firing were injured by these mortars. The IDF regrets the harm caused to these uninvolved Palestinians. However, the IDF wishes to emphasize that it is the terrorist organization Hamas that chose to launch mortars from amongst the civilian population, using them as human shields. Also on Tuesday, IDF forces identified a group of terrorists preparing to launch an anti-tank missile toward IDF soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. IDF forces shot toward the group and a direct hit was confirmed. Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz: "Israel has no interest in escalation but also does not intend to give up the right to self-defense." On Wednesday morning (March 23) at around 5:30 a.m, a Grad rocket fired from Gaza landed in the city of Beer Sheba, causing damage to infrastructure and a residential building. One man was injured by shrapnel and transfered to the Soroka Hospital. Three other people were treated by rescue forces for shock. Previously (21 March), in response to the barrage of mortar shells, Kassam and Grad rockets fired from Gaza on Monday night, IAF aircraft targeted two terror tunnels, two weapons manufacturing and storage facilities and two additional terror activity sites across the Gaza Strip. Direct hits were confirmed. The terror tunnels were intended for the infiltration of terrorists into Israeli territory and for the execution of terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.