Hamas Rocket Hits Israeli Coastal City of Ashkelon
04 July 2006
A Palestinian rocket has landed in the center of Israel's southern coastal city of Ashkelon for the first time, hitting a school but causing no casualties.
The armed wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack Tuesday. Rockets previously fired at Ashkelon have landed on the southern edge of the city.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the rocket attack a major escalation in Palestinian terror against the Jewish state. He said there will be major consequences and warned Hamas will be the first to feel them.
In response to the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz ordered Israeli forces to increase the pace of their operation in the Gaza Strip aimed at freeing an Israeli soldier.
Earlier, Mr. Olmert threatened to use force against all those who strike his country.
He spoke as a militant-imposed deadline passed for Israel to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier.
Israeli officials have said Syria and Hamas leaders in Damascus are responsible for the capture of the soldier. They have suggested they may retaliate against Syria.
Militants from the armed wing of Hamas and two other groups kidnapped the soldier June 25.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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