Israel responds to rockets

Israeli air strikes struck several targets in southern Gaza in response to rocket fire on Israel. Monday morning’s strikes were aimed at two Hamas outposts, according to the Israel Defence Forces. Palestinian sources said a member of Islamic Jihad was injured and later died. The military denied the report, saying the man didn’t sustain his injuries at the time of the attack, Ha’aretz reported. Two Qassam rockets were fired Sunday on Israel from Gaza, including one that hit Ashkelon. More than 35 rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles have been fired at Israel since Israel and Hamas declared unilateral ceasefires after Israel’s Gaza operation. The rocket attacks and responses continued as Arab media reported progress was being made on both an 18-month ceasefire and a prisoner swap for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit.

$162M for new PM’s residence

Israel’s cabinet approved $162 million to build a new official prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem. The design approved Sunday included an official residence, meeting rooms and offices, as well as venues for the Supreme Court and the Knesset. The aim is to save money on renting space throughout the city for offices and on shuttling the prime minister from his residence to his office. Education Minister Yuli Tamir, one of four ministers who rejected the plan, advocated building  classrooms instead.

Turkey, Israel mend fences

Some Israeli and Turkish officials said relations remain good after a public falling-out Jan. 29 between the countries’ leaders. “We give special importance to our bilateral ties with Israel and we want to preserve ties with that country,” Cemil Cicek, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, said last week. “We are now looking toward the future.” Ha’aretz reported that top officials of both countries were meeting to calm tensions. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed off stage Jan. 29 at a panel at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. He had said during the panel that Israel must deal with Hamas, the terror group that controls Gaza, in the wake of the recent Gaza war, launched after Hamas ended a ceasefire. Israeli President Shimon Peres asked how Turkey would deal with a terror group attacking its people with rockets. Erdogan tried to answer but was cut off by the mediator. He accused Israel of “barbarianism” and left.

Israel to keep its A1 credit rating

Israel is capable of withstanding the recent shocks to its economy – including the Gaza war, a leading credit rater said. In a January report on Israel, Moody’s said it won’t change its relatively high A1 rating it gave Israel last April.