Under Fire
Updated throughout the day. Check below for updates.
Two young Israelis – an 8-year-old boy and a 19 year-old, have been seriously wounded this evening after a Qassam rocket struck a town square in Sderot.
And what you have to realize is that seriously wounded never means just a grazed knee. We are probably talking life threatening.
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was not available for comment.
I am anticipating an improved Israeli response, so I’ll keep the live blogging option open.
Updates (Israel time):
Saturday February 9th
8:00PM: Ynet are reporting that the 8-year-old suffered serious injuries to his legs, and the 19-year-old was lightly to moderately wounded.
8:03PM: The 2 wounded boys are reportedly brothers.
8:10PM: The armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigade, has claimed responsibility.
8:25PM: The boys’ mother has reportedly suffered from shock.
8:45PM: The younger boy’s legs were at least partially severed by the explosion.
8:55PM: Israel Government spokesman David Baker:
“Israel will respond with determination to protect its citizens.”
Here’s to less talk and more action.
9:02PM: Sderot residents are protesting the continued Qassam attacks on their town, calling for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign, and the IDF to operate in Gaza against the rocket launchers.
11:25PM: An hour ago, gunmen from the Al-Quds Brigades were shooting in the air and broadcasting messages through mosque loudspeakers, in celebration of the fact that their Qassam rocket attack seriously injured an 8-year-old and a 19-year-old.
Yeah, I know. We should give these people a state.
Sunday February 10th
8:40AM: Since my last update, 8-year-old Osher Twito had his leg amputated while his 19-year-old brother Rami regained consciousness, and the IAF struck a number of Hamas targets, killing a local Hamas commander and injuring three other terrorists
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About the Author: An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.
How many years has Sderot been under fire? Enough lip service. Israel needs to slam them hard.
You mean the same guy who’s on a cereal box? He sure gets around, doesn’t he!
Just to clarify about the level of wounded:
My brother was “lightly injured” in a suicide bombing in Jerusalem 10 years ago. Both his eardrums were blown out, he had shrapnel embedded in his arms and legs which were removed with surgery. He was burned on his face and arms. He was in the hospital for a week.
He was lightly injured.
I have lost faith in the government to make an effective response.
I can see going into Gaza, there being civilian casualties (real or faked), Israel then caves to international pressure and hands Hamas a huge moral victory.
I actually think low key war of attrition is not a bad policy. Quick repeated strikes on a daily basis. Cut supply lines, reduce electric. Make them pay for each kassam. Go back to the old plan of breaking the sound barrier over Gaza every night.
I say use collective punishment. Yes, thats right Amnesty, collective punishment. Its a great idea Make life 10000 times more miserable in Gaza than it is Sderot. At some point (it might take years) if Israel does not give in to international pressure, the Palestinians will finally give up on there genocidal dreams of glory.
Stan
…and in the meantime little 8-year old Oshri from Sderot lost his leg last night… the team of surgeons and doctors were unable to save his leg and they had to amputate.
Back to politics….