Israeli Knesset okeys declaring "special situation" in Gaza border area

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Knesset (parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Wednesday authorized declaring a "special security situation" in Sderot and other communities along the border with Gaza Strip, local media reported.

    The declaration, triggered by the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks, would require Israeli defense establishment and the Home Front Command to take active part in providing assistance and guidance to the region's residents, local daily Ha'aretz said in its online report.

    The declaration essentially transfers emergency authority from the state to the army. Therefore, the Israel Defense Forces Southern Command can determine whether or not schools will remain open, and the Home Front can order factories containing dangerous materials to close their doors.

    On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel must get prepared for the possible retaliatory attacks by militants in Gaza Strip following series of Israeli air strike since Monday night, killing at least 11 Palestinian militants.

    He said he hoped that the successful Israeli military strikes against the rocket launchers and mortars continue to prevent rocket attacks against the western Negev.

    The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday continued its assault on Gaza Strip militants responsible for the Qassam rocket attacks that batter southern Israel on a daily basis.

    The strikes are IDF's most deadly military response in months to the frequent attacks from the Hamas-controlled territory.

    Abu Hamza, Islamic Jihad spokesman in Gaza Strip hinted that his group would carry out suicide attacks in Jewish towns in Gaza periphery in response to the Israeli military operation, Israel Radio reported.