IDF: WE CAN'T HELP IT!

News Item:

Four members of the Amar family of Karmiya were wounded on Friday in a Qassam rocket attack, including their seven-month-old son Osher. Israel Radio reported that Osher had regained consciousness at Beer Sheva's Soroka Hospital after doctors managed to absorb all of his cranial bleeding.

The family, evacuees from the former settlement of Nisanit in northern Gaza, were sitting inside their "caravilla" (trailer-villa supplied by the Israeli Expulsion Authority) when the rocket fell outside their home. The combination of the home's thin cardboard walls and the force of the rocket that was packed with explosives and shrapnel caused extensive damage to the home.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry sources denied charges on Saturday that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and the entire security establishment were failing to provide maximum security for residents of the South, who are frequent victims of Qassam rocket attacks.

"Recently the defense minister allocated an additional NIS 30 million to the existing budget of NIS 85 million invested in enhancing the security of residents of the South," the source said.

Mofaz has additionally demanded that the relevant authorities responsible for providing the security measures beef up their activities, the source said.

At present, Israel has no intention of cutting off the electric power in Gaza or shutting down the border crossings between Israel and Gaza, in response to such attacks, the source added.

"While Friday's attack and the harming of a baby is regrettable, one should remember that the Islamic Jihad are responsible. A terror organization who acts independently has no sentiment for the Palestinian public. Therefore, the question that needs to be asked is whether taking such drastic measures will succeed in halting the rocket attacks or harm the Palestinian public not involved in terror," the source said.

Residents of Karmiya decided Saturday to temporarily relocate to a recreational site in Ashqelon. Members of the community held an emergency meeting Saturday evening, during which they discussed methods of raising funds to protect their homes. The residents planned to demonstrate Sunday in front of the Defense Ministry, demanding greater protection against rocket attacks.