UN envoy files complaint over Gaza rockets
Ron Prosor slams Hamas for launching attacks on Israeli citizens while Israel tries to reach a deal with the Palestinians
Israel’s UN envoy lodged a complaint Monday evening with the UN Security Council and with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over rocket fire from the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
In the complaint, Ron Prosor accused Hamas of continuing to launch attacks against the Israeli people while Israel attempts to reach a deal with the Palestinians.
“Instead of committing itself to improving the lives of Palestinians, Hamas proves time and time again that its only commitment is to terrorism,” said Prosor in the complaint.
“While Israel works to advance peace, Hamas responds by firing on Israeli citizens.”
“While Israel brings trucks with construction materials into Gaza,” he added, “Hamas uses them to build terror tunnels.”
Two rockets were fired from the Strip into southern Israel early Monday morning, setting off warning sirens in Ashkelon and the surrounding areas.
The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted one of the rockets, according to the IDF. A second rocket landed in an open area. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
The incident came hours after Israel published the list of names of the 26 Palestinian prisoners set to be released on Tuesday — including five Gazans — as part of a deal to keep the US-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks on track. All are convicted murderers.
On Sunday afternoon, two mortar shells fired from Gaza landed in Israel. There were no injuries or damage.
The shells fell at 1:30 p.m. in an open area in the Eshkol region of the western Negev.
The resumption of rocket fire breaks several months of relative quiet since Israel’s 8-day campaign to quell attacks from Gaza last November.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks this week, but Israel blames Hamas, which controls the Strip.
Hours after Monday’s attack, Israeli planes struck two concealed rocket launchers in the Strip. The IDF reported direct hits, with Palestinians reporting that the Israeli planes hit open areas.
Lazar Berman contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.