Israel launches missile attack at targets in Gaza

Residents in Gaza City gather after Israeli shells damaged a building in the area early Monday

From Pierre Klochendler
CNN Producer

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Hours before the Mitchell Commission was to release its report on Israeli-Palestinian violence, Israel Defense Forces fired "several" missiles at a factory that it says produces mortar shells in northern Gaza.

The IDF, which revealed the early Monday attack, did not say how many missiles were fired at the target in the town of Jabaliya.

The army said it hit only one of a number of installations producing mortar shells, which it said are being fired at Israeli settlements and villages in Gaza and Israel.

Since the beginning of the intifada last year, the IDF said, 160 mortar shells have been fired at Israeli targets, both military and civilian, and one soldier and 12 civilians have been wounded as a result.

ON THE NEWS Mike Hanna: Searching for solutions in the Mideast    VIDEO CNN's Ben Wedeman reports Arab anger toward Israel has spread from the streets into halls of government (May 20) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Sheila MacVicar reports on fighting between Israelis and Palestinians (May 19) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Israeli's attack palestinian targets in West Bank and Gaza (May 19) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    AUDIO CNN's Ben Wedeman: Arab countries try to increase U.S. involvement 493K/46 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Kofi Annan: 'Disproportionate' Israeli response 399K/37 sec. AIFF or WAV sound George W. Bush: We must break the cycle of violence 239K/22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    GALLERY Scenes of violence and grief    ALSO Palestinian security chief's house hit by tank shells Arab League ministers urge suspending political contact with Israel U.S. wants to see 'specific language' of Arab League document

The Mitchell Committee, led by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, was charged with investigating causes and possible solutions to the Mideast conflict.

A preliminary report was presented to both the Israelis and Palestinians earlier this month. Written responses from both sides will be included in the final report to be released Monday.

Helicopters and missiles

Monday morning's attack was made by combat helicopters, not by planes, the IDF said. The army stressed it will continue to protect the security and the lives of Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The missile attack came less than a day after Israeli tank shells hit the house of a Palestinian security chief in the West Bank.

Five bodyguards of Col. Gibril Rajoub were moderately wounded in the Sunday evening tank attack, according to the Palestinian Media Center. An early report that his youngest son was also slightly wounded proved incorrect, the media center said.

Windows were shattered and there were holes in the house, but it was not destroyed.

Rajoub was not at home at the time, the sources said.

'Deplorable act'

The Israel Defense Forces said the shelling was a reaction to an exchange of fire at Ayosh Junction north of Ramallah, a common flashpoint for both sides.

In a statement, the IDF said, "The Israeli Army shot precise fire to the house from which they clearly identified the source of fire. The IDF is stressing that there was no intention to hurt Col. Gibril Rajoub."

But a statement from the Palestinians disputed the Israelis' intentions.

"The Palestinian Authority, in its strongest words, condemns this very well pre-planned and premeditated attempt against the lives of not only Col. Rajoub but in fact against other members of his family."

The statement called the shelling "a deplorable act and yet another proof of the hostile nature of the current Israeli government and its intentions towards the Palestinians and the peace process."

In another incident, the IDF said shots were fired near the Jewish settlement of Psagot in the West Bank. An Israeli soldier was wounded, the army said.

Arab League suspension

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stood by his decision to use F-16 fighter jets Saturday to hit Palestinian targets and he said Sunday he will do whatever it takes to protect Israelis.

In Moscow on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who told the Israeli foreign minister the retaliatory air strikes were improper and impossible to justify or explain.

An Israeli woman killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber on Friday is buried in Kfar Haim on Sunday

At a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday, foreign ministers urged in a non-binding resolution that the 22 members of the body suspend political contacts with Israel -- a more moderate step than breaking off diplomatic relations, which also was under discussion.

The individual Arab states must decide whether to follow the recommendation, but the move was welcomed by Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.

"All the other Arab nations and leaders are behind us in the great struggle against Israeli aggression," he said. "The Israelis are trying to destroy us, but we, the Arab people, will never be destroyed."

The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan -- the two Arab countries that have peace treaties with Israel and have been trying to broker a cease-fire -- were among those who voted for the move.

Although Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the two countries will not give up on peace efforts, he was critical of the attacks. "Sharon is making the peace process difficult," Mubarak said. "The use of excessive force will never lead to peace."

A spokesman for Sharon called the league's decision self-defeating, because it did not urge Arafat to halt the violence.

Peres voiced regret about the league's decision. "Peace is something that needs continuous cultivating and unending dialogue," he said.