By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
May 12, 2005
Israelis throughout the land Wednesday evening launched into celebration marking the 57th anniversary of the Jewish state's rebirth in 1948.
Thursday saw hundreds of thousands pack the nation's parks and other public areas for picnics and other activities.
As always, the Independence Day festivities were immediately preceded by nationwide remembrance of and mourning for Israel's fallen soldiers.
Celebratory fireworks in northern Israel Wednesday night were met by a Katyusha rocket attack from Lebanon on a small, but often targeted Galilee town.
Shortly before midnight, a projectile later identified as a Katyusha destroyed a bakery in the town of Shlomi.
The IDF immediately increased security along the northern border, and defense officials said the army was prepared for any escalation terrorists based in southern Lebanon were planning.
Military officials told Israel Radio the assessment was that the attack was not launched by Hizballah, but another smaller terror group associated with the Palestinian Arabs.
OC Northern Command Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch said the timing of the attack was clearly coordinated with the intent of harming Israelis gathered to celebrate their independence.
The Palestinian Arabs, as well as many of Israel's Arab citizens, view the rebirth of the Jewish state as a "tragedy."
The IDF spokesperson's office released as statement saying the army "reserves the right to respond to the attack, and will deploy according to the developing situation."
Israel reiterated that it holds the government of Lebanon directly responsible for such attacks, and demanded it comply with obligations to the UN to disarm terrorist organizations operating in the country.