Rate of Gaza Qassam fire unchanged since pullout

In the three months since the Israel Defense Forces left Gaza, Qassams have been launched at Israel on an almost daily basis. A total of 239 rockets have been fired at Israel since September 15, according to the Red Dawn warning system, which monitors Qassam launches. However, only 160 of these rockets landed in Israel: many fell short and landed inside the Gaza Strip.

This rate of rocket fire does not differ greatly from the rate prior to the disengagement, when the IDF still controlled the Gaza Strip, and is even significantly lower if one factors in the rockets and mortar shells that used to be fired at the Gaza settlements. Moreover, not a single Israeli, either soldier or civilian, has been killed or seriously wounded by terrorist activity emanating from Gaza since the disengagement.

Nevertheless, the ongoing Qassam launches have exploded the hopes of quiet that Negev residents and the plan's architects voiced before the withdrawal. Moreover, the evacuation of northern Gaza enabled the Palestinians to move their launch sites closer to Israel. Therefore, even without improving the rockets' range, they are able to hit the industrial zone south of Ashkelon, where several vital infrastructure facilities such as the Rutenberg power plant are located. Over the past week, two Qassams landed in this area, arousing concern among both Ashkelon officials and the defense establishment.

Qassams also have begun to land in other areas of southern Israel that had not experienced rocket fire before the disengagement. Moshav Shuba, for instance, was never hit by a Qassam before the disengagement, although it was technically within range. Over the past month, however, three rockets have landed in its territory; one hit a house, damaging the building and sending residents into shock.

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