Israel Still Retaliating Against Empty Buildings and Fields and Making Loud Noises

Israeli Airstrike Targets Palestinian Rocket Launchers

An Israeli aircraft fired at least one missile at an open field in the northern Gaza Strip early Wednesday about two hours after Palestinian militants launched a rocket into Sderot in southern Israel. Ground forces also aimed artillery fire at the area, the army said, and several sonic booms caused by Israeli warplanes were heard in Gaza during the night. The air strikes in the Beit Hanun area caused no injuries or damage, Israel Radio reported. A Palestinian official said Israel had warned Palestinian civilians to stay away from the area.

Immediately after Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip approximately 50 rockets were fired into Israel, including one that landed "very close" to Prime Minister Sharon's house. I explained that Israel would then pursue four tactics:

-attacking empty buildings
-shooting into empty fields
-flying airplanes to make sonic booms
-making threats

The article above is but one of many that have appeared since the above strategy was articulated here.

Many articles point out that Israel fires back at the place where the rockets were fired, ostensibly to try to hit the attackers. This story, however, points out that the return fire occured two hours later, after warnings to clear the area were issued. Gazan rocket crews routinely leave after firing. If any of the attackers were ever to be killed, they would simply shift to populated launching areas which Israel refuses to strike.

Update: Here is a story that claims that Israel is specifically trying to direct the sonic booms to annoy the rocket launching crews:

Air-Force jets are expected to continue flying over Gaza and cause supersonic booms in the area, especially over Qassam rocket launching areas in northern Gaza.