Non-Stop Events in Gush Katif

Inside Israel

A series of events are scheduled for today in Gush Katif, as tens of thousands of visitors make their way there in solidarity with the Jewish residents of the Gaza Coast.

Military officials believe between 50,000 and 80,000 people will arrive to participate in the holiday solidarity events. Organizers believe the number will exceed 100,000 and have hired 1,500 buses to bring supporters from around the country.

Beginning at 7:00am, authorities prohibited private vehicles from traveling Gush Katif roads, to avoid traffic jams in the area. Buses are taking visitors from large parking lots at the Kissufim Crossing into the bloc. Magen David Adom emergency medical service southern district officials report they will be out in large numbers - remaining on standby status during the events in Gush Katif. Security will remain high and authorities add persons appearing suspicious will not be permitted into the area. Security officials fear activists may use the opportunity to enter the area and remain, in an effort to strengthen anti-Disengagement opposition.

The main event of the day is a rally at the pond in N'vei Dekalim, scheduled for 3:30pm, following a solidarity march. Well-known entertainers will perform and public figures will deliver speeches at the rally in support of continued Jewish presence in the Gaza region and against the government's Disengagement Plan. The Disengagement Plan calls for the uprooting of Gush Katif's 8,000 Jews, as well as several towns in northern Samaria.

Among the events scheduled for today are: theatrical performances (in Ganei Tal and N'vei Dekalim); guided explanations of local history and agriculture (Atzmona, Kfar Darom, N'vei Dekalim and Gadid); a juggler/magician performance (Rafiach Yam). In addition, in Kfar Darom, the Museum of Land-Based Mitzvot will be open to the public, as will the largest petting zoo in the Gaza area, in N'vei Dekalim.

Rocket Attacks Continue; Preparing for More

Defense/Security

Rocket and mortar barrages by Palestinian Authority terrorists continue in the south. As in many past attacks, the city of S'derot and the towns of Gush Katif were the targets yesterday.

In the late afternoon Tuesday, Arab terrorists in the Gaza region fired two Kassam rockets at the southern city of S'derot. Local security services, already experienced in such attacks, operated the city-wide "Red Dawn" early-warning system against incoming enemy rockets. The rockets landed in a grove of trees on the city's outskirts, causing no injuries or damage.

"Red Dawn" was made operational late last year after PA shellings had increased in frequency relative to previous years. In preparation for increased potential for shelling in the south after the government's Disengagement Plan is implemented, another southern city, Ashkelon, has begun installing antennas to connect into S'derot's early-warning system, as well.

The Jewish towns of Gush Katif were also targeted by Arab terrorists yesterday evening, with two mortar shells striking in the bloc of communities. In that attack, as well, there were no injuries reported.

PA leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) called for a cessation in Kassam rocket attacks into southern pre-1967 Green Line Israel. He said that such attacks are outside the consensus among PA residents. In January, the PA leader made a similar declaration, insisting, however, that he would not use force to halt attacks. The PA leader fell short in his current declaration of calling for an end to rocket, bomb and shooting attacks against Jewish civilian population centers in Gaza or against IDF forces operating there.

The Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees, affiliated with Abu Mazen's Fatah organization, claimed responsibility for the shelling of S'derot.