The Al-Quds Brigades - the Islamic Jihad's military wing - claimed responsibility Monday morning for the attacks on two South Gaza Strip settlements with Quds-1 missiles, the settlements being "Netzer Hazani" and "Gush Katif".
A statement by the brigades said Bashar Binni Oudah brigade attacked the two settlements with three missiles at around 10:30 Sunday night, adding that loud explosions were heard at the time.
The attack, the statement indicated, "comes in retaliation for Israeli army aggressions, specifically the arrest of three Jihad activists in Khalil (Hebron), and also comes to re-stress resistance and martyrdom as the lone option."
In the meantime, Israel Radio reported Monday morning that large troops are being re-deployed and moved from border duties to the Gaza Strip in preparation for the mid-July "disengagement".
The radio quoted military sources as saying, "most border troops would be re-assigned in the Gaza Strip and would vacate settlements while the regular army manages and maintains security and protection".
