A petition was filed with the Supreme Court on Tuesday on behalf of Gaza periphery communities, kibbutzim and townships located within a 4.5 kilometer (3 mile) belt of northern Gaza – prime Kassam rocket range.

The petitioners are opposed to decisions made by the national government, and in some case local and regional councils, demanding the national government move ahead and construct 5,000 safe rooms to protect them against rocket attacks from northern Gaza.

While the defense establishment is moving ahead with various rocket-intercept systems, they are of no value to the Gaza belt communities since they are located too close to northern Gaza and there is no time to intercept an incoming projectile. They have some 15 seconds from launch to impact, barely enough time to run for cover.

Brigadier-General Danny Milo, who heads the air force’s anti-aircraft units, explains development on various systems remains a high priority, mentioning the Iron Kippa system against Kassam rockets landing deeper in Israel, farther north of Gaza, and the Patriot and Arrow systems for larger more sophisticated missiles launched from afar.

Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai acknowledges the problem and concerns of Gaza belt communities, and appears to favor the construction of the fortified rooms, realizing there really is only one other alternative, to stop the rocket attacks and it does not appear that will be happening anytime soon.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)