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Kassam rocket launch (archive)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners March 28, 2006 |
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A Kassam rocket exploded among a group of Israeli Bedouins, apparently as they sought to salvage metal near the agricultural community of Nahal Oz in southern Israel, killing a man and a child and casting a pall over nationwide elections. Islamic Jihad, a violent Palestinian militant group, claimed responsibility. There were reports of a rocket landing, even though Israel's early warning system was not activated.
Islamic Jihad, a violent Palestinian militant group, claimed responsibility, saying it had timed the attack to disrupt the Israeli election.
"We send a message to the Zionist entity that the blood of Palestinian people will not be at the expense of your elections," said Abu Abdullah, a spokesman for the group. Islamic Jihad's top rocket maker was killed in an explosion this month, though Israel denied involvement.
In past elections, Palestinian violence has driven voters toward hard-line parties, and Tuesday's attack could affect Tuesday's voting as well.
Hawkish parties have criticized front-runner Ehud Olmert's plan to withdraw unilaterally from much of the West Bank, saying it would invite Palestinian violence.
Olmert's opponents have pointed to the frequent rocket attacks that have continued out of Gaza since Israel withdrew from the area last summer.
The army said a total of four rockets were fired into Israel on Tuesday.
The AP contributed to this report.
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