israelinsider: security: First Palestinian Mortar Attack Across Green Line

First Palestinian mortar attack across Green Line
By Amir Mizroch March 20, 2001


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A soldier from the army base near Kibbutz Nahal Oz (Reuters)




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	Kibbutz Nahal Oz

Palestinian militants fired three mortar shells that hit an IDF military guard post near Kibbutz Nahal Oz on Sunday night, injuring one soldier. The attack is the first mortar firing across the Green Line since the Gaza Strip was captured in the Six Day War.

Palestinians have used mortars against Israeli targets before, such as the recent attacks against the Netzarim settlement; the IDF believes this attack is a serious escalation of the conflict because it represents a shift in the thinking of Palestinian militants. Northern Gaza Brigade Commander Colonel Ranem said, "Firing at territory over the Green Line represents the crossing of a 'red line'. We will do the maximum to prevent this from recurring," said Ranem.

Speaking in Washington, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said "Israel views with grave severity the mortar attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz," and added that Israel expected the Palestinian Authority to act immediately to end the violence.

The attack comes as Israeli and Palestinian security officials resume talks to reduce the level of violence between the two sides. The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday that General Security Service head Avi Dichter had met with Palestinian General Intelligence Service head Amin al-Hindi at the Erez checkpoint on Saturday night for security discussions.

The fields of Kibbutz Nahal Oz border those of the city of Gaza on the Green Line; the kibbutz was often attacked in the 1950's and 60's. Kibbutz member Shahar Belkin said that Sunday's mortars landed about 800 meters away from kibbutz homes. "We are fairly close to [the Gaza Strip settlement] Netzarim, and many times we hear explosions and noises," he said.

According to a Ha'aretz report, recent mortar attacks against IDF outposts and Jewish settlements have been carried out by Force 17 activists and other groups with strong ties to the Lebanese Shiite Muslim Hizbullah group.

IDF sources have long confirmed the involvement of Yasser Arafat's personal guard in terrorist attacks, and now regard Hizbullah's involvement in the Palestinian uprising as a worrying sign for Israel, and the entire region.