Kassams an obstacle to peace

Israel's UN envoy in Geneva Aharon Leshno Yaar sent a letter to the Human Rights Council submitting an official complaint following the Kassam rocket attacks over the weekend.

The complaint stated that the attacks are an obstacle to the peace process and a renewal of direct talks with the Palestinians.

The complaint also pointed out that the attacks were carried out on Israeli citizens and civilian targets.

The letter sent at the Foreign Ministry's request claimed that the rocket attacks are equivalent to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Israeli Air Force struck targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Saturday in what the IDF said was retaliation for a Kassam rocket fired into Israel which struck near Sderot damaging a building.

The target of the strike was a tunnel used to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip, said IDF Spokesperson.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to hurt Israeli citizens or soldiers and will continue to demonstrate perseverance and strength against anyone attempting to terrorize Israel," said the announcement.

The statement added that the IDF holds Hamas responsible for maintaining peace and quiet in Gaza.

The air strike was the second such retaliatory mission undertaken by the IAF in as many days.

On Friday night, a top Hamas commander was killed and another 11 Gazans were wounded by an Israeli air strike that came in response to a Katyusha attack on Ashkelon earlier in the day.

Palestinians continued firing rockets over the weekend.


(2010-08-01/JPost.com)