Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz criticized on Sunday the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for failing to act against militants.

He told a weekly cabinet meeting that violent anti-Israeli activities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have increased during the past several days due to the continued failure of the PNA to act against militant groups.

Palestinian militants fired a homemade Qassam rocket Sunday afternoon from the Gaza Strip which hit south of Ashkelon, causing no casualties or damage.

Israeli defense establishment has received specific warnings of six planned Palestinian attacks and 43 other warnings, Mofaz said.

He noted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has bolstered presence in the West Bank and is carrying out large-scale operations in northern West Bank and around Nablus.

More than 70 wanted Palestinians were arrested and a weapons workshop uncovered in Nablus during these operations.

A suicide bomber from Islamic Jihad killed five Israelis in Netanya on Dec. 5, drawing tough Israeli military response. Mofaz also gave the green light to resume targeted killings of Palestinian militants. Several of them have been killed in Israeli air strikes hitherto.

Source: Xinhua