HA’ARETZ

1. One killed at Sapir College.  Twelve killed in Gaza Strip.  50 rockets on Israel.  Hit on Barzilai Hospital.

ISRAEL: RESPONSE TO BE ESPECIALLY HARSH.

09:00 – IDF kills five Hamas personnel in Khan Yunis.  Throughout day, twelve Palestinians killed.  15:00 – Eleven Kassams fired in one barrage on Sderot, rocket falls in empty factory room.  16:15 – Roni Yihye (47), father of four, killed by Kassam hit on Sapir College.  18:00 – Four GRAD rockets fired at Ashkelon, one falls in Barzilai Hospital compound.  23:00 – IDF attacks Hamas targets in Gaza Strip.  Palestinians report infant fatality.

2. SAPIR COLLEGE DISENGAGEMENT SUCCEEDED, UNTIL YESTERDAY.

Seven years the college safeguarded it reputation of being "out of Kassam range", in order to avoid pushing away students.  Now it will be much harder.

MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEH

1. CONFLAGRATION IN SOUTH.

Over 50 Kassam rockets on Negev communities.  Ashkelon hospital compound takes hit.  Heavy damage to Sderot factory.  IDF eliminates eight terrorists.

MA’ARIV

1. IDF attacks in Gaza: Eleven Palestinians killed.  South under fire.  More than 60 Kassams on Sderot and Ashkelon.

KASSAM VICTIMS.

Hit Sapir College abandoned, rockets reach Ashkelon. Deadly Kassam barrage yesterday cost Roni Yihye, father of four, his life.  Number of killed since start of attacks on Sderot reaches eleven.

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. ISA accomplishment: Five terrorists eliminated while preparing attack.  Hamas response: One killed in Sderot, rocket barrage on Ashkelon.  What to do?  Air Force bombs bureau of senior Hamas official.

SOUTHERN FRONT.

Sderot residents spend the night in shelters.  Ashkelon begins to digest new reality: This southern beach city has also become a permanent target for rocket fire.

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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Two papers discuss various issues related to the situation in Sderot and the Gaza Strip in light of yesterday's deadly Kassam barrage:

Ma'ariv notes that eleven Israelis, including three children, have been killed by Kassam rockets since 27.6.04, and claims that, "The Government of Israel is in gross violation of the first article of the contract between citizens and their state, the article in which the state is supposed to promise its citizens reasonable personal security."  The editors warn that, "The range, accuracy and payload of Kassam missiles are constantly improving."  The paper discounts both the possibility and the efficacy of a large-scale incursion into – or the reoccupation of – the Gaza Strip and refers to stepped-up military actions, including eliminations.  The editors believe that Prime Minister, "Ehud Olmert will – after he has finished his important business in Japan - discuss the situation.  Not to worry, the situation here, which is as complicated as ever, is patiently waiting for Olmert.  The residents of Sderot and its environs, however, are much less patient.  From their point-of-view, they are completely correct."

Yediot Ahronot asserts that, "The political echelon does not want to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and the army really is not enthusiastic about re-entering the Gaza quagmire," and adds, "Everyone knows what it is not worthwhile to do but nobody wants to take risks in order to put out the fire."  The editors believe that, "Hamas views restraint as hesitation," and predict that, "Its responses will be more brazen and more aggressive."  The paper faults Government policy as inconsistent and declares that, "It cannot be that after Hamas's attack yesterday, its leadership continues to be free from threats on its life.  Hamas's military and political infrastructures must be dealt with without a break."

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Makor Rishon-Hatzofeh believes that discussing the possibility of releasing Fatah terrorist Marwan Barghouti in the context of a deal to release Gilad Shalit, merely emboldened Hamas to demand the release of other senior terrorists as well.

[Alex Fishman and Ben Caspit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively.]