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Israelis near Gaza want to relocate

Conal Urquhart

In the past month, militants have fired more than 40 rockets at border towns in Israel

Netiv Haasara (ISRAEL): Israelis living near the Gaza Strip are demanding relocation packages similar to those offered to settlers, claiming they are on the new frontline in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the past month, militants have fired more than 40 rockets from Gaza at the Israeli towns of Nahal Oz, Netiv Haasara, Yad Mordechai and Sderot. Since 2000, five persons have been killed by such rockets, known as Qassams, but their main effect is fear and uncertainty.

Unlike the Jewish settlers who made their homes on occupied land, the residents around Gaza live inside Israel's internationally recognised borders.

Shula Margalit's home in Netiv Haasara was hit by a rocket last Wednesday. Her son Nir, who was also in the house, said: ``The alert went out and we ran to the shelter and after about 10 seconds we heard an impact. It wasn't very loud, so we did not think that it had landed close to the house.''

The missile detonated when it hit the roof, creating a metre square hole and causing a fine red dust to cover the room beneath.

The Government is taking steps to protect the residents by building a wall at one side of the village and supplying each home with a reinforced safe room. The rocket alert system — sounds over the public address system at regular intervals, giving residents 10 seconds to get to a safe place. Netiv Haasara, founded by people evacuated from Sinai, has 600 residents.

Earlier this year, Dana Galkovich (22), was killed when a Qassam rocket hit the house she was visiting. The attacks forced Nitzan Dafna to leave the village for the safety of his children. Last Wednesday, he returned to visit his parents and was sprayed with rocket shrapnel.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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