Live Updates: Coverage of Massive Tornado Damage Near Okla City…Kids Reportedly Trapped at School…Homes Demolished…Triage Units Being Set Up…Multiple Others Touch Down

Watch Live Local Coverage of Tornado Aftermath

World

Rocket Slams into Southern Israel, First Time Since November Fight with Hamas

Feb. 26, 2013 7:22am
Rocket Slams into Southern Israel First Time Since November Fight with Hamas

Investigators stand next to remnants of Grad rocket fired into Ashkelon, Israel Tuesday morning (Screen shot of Israel Channel 10 via Times of Israel)

A Grad rocket was fired from Gaza at southern Israel Tuesday morning, the first rocket attack since the November hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Then, more than 1,500 rockets were launched by Palestinian terrorist groups into Israeli communities.

Israeli media reported that the rocket landed on a road south of Ashkelon at 7:00am, during the morning commute and when children are making their way to school.

Israel Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says, “An explosion was heard in the Ashkelon region. Experts searched areas and found one rocket that struck, damaging a road but causing no injuries.”

The Times of Israel quotes residents who said they heard two blasts, though authorities could find the remnants of only one rocket.

The Israel Defense Forces are investigating why the air raid siren was not automatically activated as a result of the incoming projectile.

For now, Israeli security officials are regarding the incident as an anomaly and thus decided to keep schools in the area open.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the rocket attack. In a statement, it said this was a response to the death of Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jaradat, who died in Israeli custody over the weekend.

The statement said, “Freedom will be achieved through sacrifice. We must fight the enemy with all means necessary. The resistance will continue.”

On Monday, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated to protest 30-year-old Jadarat’s death. On Saturday, an Israel Prison Services spokeswoman said that he died of a heart attack. But the Palestinian Authority’s Minister of Detainee Affairs said an autopsy showed Jadarat died after being tortured in custody.

Rocket Slams into Southern Israel First Time Since November Fight with Hamas

Palestinian policemen carry the body of Arafat Jaradat during his funeral on Monday in the village of Saair in the West Bank. (Photo: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

Thousands attended the funeral for prisoner Jaradat, who was buried with military honors on Monday. During the funeral procession, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militants fired rounds in the air. The group is aligned with Fatah and is considered a terrorist group by the United States.

The UN’s coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry, called for “an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Jaradat’s death, the results of which should be made public as soon as possible”.

“The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation on the ground where mounting tensions present a real risk of destabilization,” Serry added, in a statement quoted by the Palestinian News Agency Maan.

Elsewhere on Monday, almost a dozen Palestinians were injured in clashes outside Ofer Prison – the site of regular protests – near Ramallah.

Maan quoted an IDF spokesman who said, “500 rioters hurled rocks, firebombs and burning tires at Israeli forces, who responded with riot dispersal means,” adding that six were hit by rubber-coated bullets.

In the Bethlehem area, a 13-year-old was shot in the back and foot and is now in serious but stable condition, according to Maan.

Ynet reported that an Israeli soldier was lightly wounded by stones that Palestinians threw at him in Gush Etzion, a bloc of Jewish settlements between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

After the outbreak of clashes on Monday afternoon, the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem issued a security message for U.S. citizens in the area advising them to avoid non-essential travel to the West Bank and “to exercise an extra measure of caution during this period.”

“The U.S. Consulate General takes this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens that demonstrations, even peaceful ones, can turn violent with little or no warning. U.S. citizens should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and avoid large crowds,” the consulate statement said.

The escalation in Palestinian demonstrations has sparked analyses among Israeli and Palestinian officials to try to determine if this is the mark of a new intifada, or uprising. Experts have asked in recent days: Is the violence being orchestrated by the Palestinian Authority? Is the objective geared toward getting the Palestinian issue at the forefront of the diplomatic agenda, particularly in these weeks leading up to President Barack Obama’s visit to the region?

With the mediation of the U.S. and Egypt, Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire three months ago at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (29)

  • crystalsky
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 9:47am

    Israel ought to send Missles through the tunnels that are anywhere near there borders warn all people to get out of them and Gaza Give them 2 days if there not gone they have been warned. Take gaza back and set there Missels on that piece of land and use it as a Missle parking lot. When some1 says there going to wipe you off the map and there getting advance weapons. Israel should take this very seriously.
    By the way do we have tunnels on any of our borders? No that’s right are borders are safe.

    Report this comment

    crystalsky  
  • DoctorRon
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:15pm

    I am scheduled to leave Monday night for Jerusalem. I hope it is safe there but Obama keeps sending fighter jets and tanks to the terrorists so they can carry out their stated objective of “wiping Israel off the map.” I am disgusted that my nation is a supporter and enabler of international terrorism!

    Report this comment

    DoctorRon  
    • ofass
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 3:23pm

      It is totally safe…no one will wipe them off the map in the near future…

      Report this comment

      ofass  
  • Beachmastermax
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 2:22pm

    Israel should just line up rows of artillery, say 400 pieces, pointing into gaza and say everytime a rocket lands in Israel you get one volley. AND DO IT!!!!

    There is a reason artillery was called Stalin’s Organs and proclaimed, THE GOD OF WAR. It is cheap and it works!!!!

    If Israel wants to be a nation at peace then it needs to start acting like a NATION at war. Get this over with. Great Britain and Russia would.

    Report this comment

    Beachmastermax  
  • zoro51
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 12:11pm

    MORE MURDERING MUSLUMS in a man made cult of hate n death more proof OF…..

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 10:44am

    Iran is going to be stirring up all kinds of BS, and this rocket is probably just the beginning. Somebody caused a booboo at the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, and I’m sure the Israelis will be blamed.
    http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/radiation-reported-from-irans-nuclear-explosion/
    When your diaper starts glowing be sure to yell allahu ackbar.

    Report this comment

    spfoam1  
  • RaydocX
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 10:43am

    Ah yes, the Israeli’s continued existence clearly warrants the attack… They provoked it by attempting to prosper and simply live. This is another clear reason the UN should pass resolutions against the nation fighting for survival against its neighbors…. Another proof why the Palestinians deserve their own country, and another demonstration of the inherent humanity of the radicalized Palestinians and Islamists whom we merely misunderstand, and must extend a hand of friendship to…

    Wonder how this will alter Kerry’s approach to the Middle East… or the administration’s. Sadly, it won’t, this will be ignored, written off as some ‘accident’ or inadvertent launch… not an intentional attack.

    We can’t be surprised… it’s the way they handled the attack on America when our embassy was stormed.

    Al queda probably wishes they had just waited until after 2012 to attack the WTC… it would have been labeled workplace violence, the deaths chalked up to environmental toxins prompting new EPA regulations further strangling the nation’s economy.

    Report this comment

    RaydocX  
  • MuddyWaters
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 10:09am

    wait…this rocket attack isnt Bush’s fault?

    Report this comment

    MuddyWaters  
  • AUsername
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 9:29am

    go in there and kill them while you could under non intervention foreign policy, but under intervention, you have to cease fire and bow to them. well done neo cons and neo libs for restraining israel from attacking people who launch rockets at it.

    Report this comment

    AUsername  
  • The Big Mick
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:36am

    This seems to be an excellent time to Reprise “The Big Mick Strategy for Ending the War for Survival Against the Sanduskies.”

    The Palestinians now have a “homeland”, Hell, TWO of em, time for them to shut up and get to work on home improvement. If the rest of the Sandyknickers feel they’ve been shorted, let THEM cough up the Territory.

    In the meantime, the “STRATEGIC Center of Gravity” in the Sandyknicker Region is RELIGIOUS, specificially “the Holy Sites.” They can neither be Hidden or Defended.
    So, we pick the “5th Holiest” even if it is in Downtown Riyadh, and we Dirty Nuke the H ell out of it ’till the Inmom’s Grandkids’ Grandkids are going to Prayer Meeting in Lead Suits.
    Then we politely inform all Sanduskies everywhere that they have One Moon to bring us the Heads of Every Last One of their JihadiNazi kin (packed in chitterlins) or Number 4 gets it like loppin off fingers with a cigar cutter. We wouldn’t make it to #3 before every last Inmom, Moolah, Aszhola and Muffie were falling all over themselves ratting out and cuttin up their JihadiNazi nephews, brother-in-laws and cousins.

    Report this comment

    The Big Mick  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:20am

    .
    They just need to have a substained artillery barrage until there is nothing left to shoot at…..

    Report this comment

    SpankDaMonkey  
  • The Big Mick
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:18am

    Ah, such a Gentle and Abstemious People, your GangstaHoodin Palestinian Homies.

    Report this comment

    The Big Mick  
  • michaelhuggins2
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:13am

    As anyone here been to Israel. I went with my mother for the birthright trip. She insisted I go so I would see for myself how much danger Israel is in from the paelstinianians. Yet after visiting, she was forced to admit that Israel is not an innocent victim. The double standards are truly horrifying. Both sides are guilty of atrocities, however forcing one side to renounce violence or give up something is pointless unless both sides are heald to the same requirements.

    Report this comment

    michaelhuggins2  
    • The Big Mick
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:21am

      Don’t care. Last time Israel tried to kill American’s was what, 30 years ago.
      The Sandyknickered RagaMuzzied Dark Age Barbarian JihdiNAZIS are workin at it every day.
      I want all them dead and Israel left the He ll alone.

      Report this comment

      The Big Mick  
    • tzion
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:39am

      Actually, I have been there and likely for far longer than you. You trip was what, less than 2 months? I spent over 4 consecutive months living there, not just touring, and that was my second visit. I don’t see how a short visit in the summer with a program could make you an expert on the issues. I could debate you over these supposed “atrocities” but since you neglected to provide details there isn’t anything to discuss.

      Report this comment

      tzion  
    • ofass
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 12:45pm

      I was there far many times than you too….I have no idea where do you take your info from. No atrocities, no double standard, absolutely nothing of that kind. I am doubting your whole story.

      Report this comment

      ofass  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:13am

    At what time today can we expect the U.N. to release a press statement blaming Israel itself for this?

    Report this comment

    RJJinGadsden  
  • sbenard
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:04am

    One nicely-placed strategic nuclear weapon would do wonders for improving Israel’s security.

    Report this comment

    sbenard  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:42am

    So it begins again – now we will see Hamas scream ‘Israeli oppression’ if they respond, and Obama will blame the Israeli’s for anything they do or do not do – as usual.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • OldSurfRat
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:34am

    Really??
    You must have been living under a rock not to know to stay away from the west bank oh say for the last 20 years.

    Report this comment

    OldSurfRat  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:33am

    When Libyan weapons make their way to Israel from Syria, the Palestinian’s accuracy is going to improve dramatically.

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
    • dublinthewagons
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:52am

      When U.S. made weapons coming thru libya, to hamas

      Report this comment

      dublinthewagons  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on February 26, 2013 at 8:17am

      Our Great Leader should have “beer” summit or play a few rounds of golf with the hamas leadrs and bring peace to the area. Biden can go and show the pal women how to defend themselves.

      Report this comment

      circleDwagons  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love