Israeli gov't data shows drop in terror attacks in 2010

[News_Editor]

Israeli gov't data shows drop in terror attacks in 2010

2011-01-03 18:45:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- Official data released by the Israeli government on Monday showed a drop in terrorist attacks in the country, continuing a decline similar to 2009.

The Israeli Security Agency said 2010 concluded with a total of 798 terror attacks as opposed to 1,354 attacks in 2009, 378 of them being executed during Operation Cast Lead. This drop was also seen in the number of casualties.

According to the data, nine Israelis died as a result of terrorism in 2010, lower than the 15 fatalities in 2009, which included nine fatalities during Operation Cast Lead. In addition, 28 people were injured in 2010, significantly lower than the 234 injuries in 2009.

In the winter of 2008-2009, Israel launched a surprise airstrike against the Gaza Strip which marked the beginning of a three-week military conflict between Israel and Hamas, killing nearly 1,500 people and leaving thousands more injured and displaced. Israel stated its aim was top stop rocket fire from and arms import into Gaza.

In 2010, the agency said it recorded a total of 150 rocket launches from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. This is significantly lower than the 569 in 2009, although 407 of them were launched during Operation Cast Lead. "Moreover, there has also been a drop in the number of mortar shell attacks: 215 launches in 2010 as opposed to 289 launches in 2009," it said.

However, the Israeli government believes that Gaza-based Hamas continued to strengthen its military power, especially by smuggling high quality weaponry from the Sinai Peninsula through tunnels in Rafah. "The Sinai zone is becoming Gaza's 'backyard' when it comes to the amount of weaponry destined for smuggling to the Gaza Strip," the Israeli Security Agency said.

The Israeli government holds Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by most countries, solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. "The IDF will also continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel," it warned.

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