Palestinian radical groups warn Israeli locations north of Sderot, including Ashkelon, to prepare for missile attacks. Hamas activates West Bank cells for suicide operations

May 26, 2007, 12:06 PM (GMT+02:00)

The warning to Ashkelon and points north of Gaza came from Jihad Islami and Popular Resistance Groups as well as Hamas.

DEBKAfile also reports: Hamas military chief Mohammed Jabari has instructed all West Bank cells to launch suicide attacks in Israeli towns forthwith.

Sniper teams are directed to target roads on West Bank as well as Jerusalem and the Sharon district. The order advises the cells to do the best they can.

Israeli army, police and security services have raised their level of preparedness to maximum along the West Bank border as Israelis get ready for the Shavuot festival Tuesday night and Wednesday.

This directive was the outcome of a war conference held by Jabari and his top commanders, including his spiritual guide, Halil al Haya, who escaped an Israeli air attack Sunday night, former Palestinian interior minister Said Siyam, and Nizhar Riyan. They also decided to escalate and extend the radius of their missile offensive against southern Israel. Their upgraded Qassam (al Quds) missiles can reach as far as 19km and target towns like the strategic Ashkelon and the outskirts of Netivot and Ofakim.

One such missile reached its furthest point yet Monday, landing at Moshav Shokeda outside Netivot, 17 km from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas spokesmen went on the air Monday night calling out their adherents to cross all red lines and hit Israeli targets. After an Israeli air raid destroyed a Jihad Islami four-man missile team in Jebalya, northern Gaza, Monday afternoon, a five-missile salvo was spread out to hit Sderot and also the outlying villages of Gevim, Shuva, Alumim, Sde Elihahu and Beeri.

The Sderot missile struck a car and killed a woman, the first fatality of the seven-day Hamas offensive.