The Foreign Ministry directed Israel´s ambassador to the United Nations to immediately issue a complaint to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as to the head of the UN Security Council, regarding the Katyusha rocket which was fired towards the Israeli town Shlomi in the western Galilee.

Foreign Ministry officials said that the rocket attack proves the urgent need that the Security Council´s directive to disarm all militias in Lebanon be implemented.

The 107-millimeter Katyusha rocket hit the northern town around midnight Wednesday while residents were celebrating Israel´s 57th Independence Day.

The rocket damaged a local bakery, however no injuries were reported.

The IDF has boosted security along the northern border following the attack.

The IDF has estimated that a Lebanese Palestinian organization is responsible for the attack, and not the Hizbullah, reported Israel Radio.

The Israeli army said that the Lebanese government is responsible for what occurs within its borders, and must fulfill obligations to the UN and confiscate weapons from terrorist groups.

Commander of northern front Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch claimed the timing of the attack was not coincidental, Israel Radio reported. It was chosen carefully and intended to wound citizens celebrating Independence Day celebrations, he said.

He added that Israel is ready for any escalations that could happen in the north.

The IDF has promised to respond to the attack as necessary, though officers estimate nothing will happen until after the holiday.

"The IDF reserves the right to respond to the attack, and will deploy according to the developing situation," said the IDF spokesperson´s office.

Northern Command decided, along with local authorities, to hold Independence Day celebrations as planned. "Take your hiking stick, take your backpack, and come to the north," said the commander.

The attack comes two days after the IDF mistakenly fired a tank shell into southern Lebanon. There were no injuries in the earlier incident.

It is uncertain if the two incidents are related. (© 1995-2005, The Jerusalem Post 05/12/05)