Hamas behind Qassam attack in southern Israel: IDF

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials said on Thursday that Hamas was behind Wednesday's Qassam rocket attack on a building near Defense Minister Amir Peretz's residence in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, local media reported on Thursday.

Israel's Ha'aretz quoted IDF experts as saying that the rockets were the kind developed by Hamas, which have larger warhead and are more precise than those held by the Islamic Jihad (Holy War).

On early Wednesday, one of four Qassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip hit and badly damaged a residential building near Peretz's house, while another struck roof of another house in the city.

At least one Israeli was lightly wounded in the rocket attacks.

The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility shortly after the attack, saying the rocket was of a newly-upgraded type, called Quds 4, with a range of 12 kilometers.

According to a report published by Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Hamas-made rockets are painted in green and red, which are distinguishable from rockets manufactured by Jihad and other militant groups.

The Yedioth Ahronoth report quoted an IDF source as saying that "We will act against anyone who carries out terror attacks against us, regardless of their political affiliation."

Meanwhile, Israeli security officials said that Hamas has been involved in a number of attacks carried out by other groups against Israel since a mutual ceasefire was reached over a year ago.

Hamas is still branded as a terror group by Israel, despite its election win and formation of a Hamas-led government.

Israel says that it will not deal with a Hamas-led Palestinian government unless Hamas recognizes Israel, renounces violence and accepts previous peace deals.

Source: Xinhua