Hamas’s military wing, which has been responsible for most of the recent Kassam rocket 
fire, said Thursday that it had not launched a rocket in 48 hours.  The claim came despite 
an earlier warning by Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Mashaal that the rocket fire would 
continue until Israel stopped its attacks in Gaza. "What the Palestinian people are doing 
comes in the context of self- defense for facing these aggressions," said Mashaal.  
Four Kassam rockets were fired into the western Negev, two of which landed in open fields 
near the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, but Channel 10 quoted Hamas officials as saying 
that those rockets were launched by other groups such as the Islamic Jihad and the Popular 
Resistance Committees (PRC). Defense officials had noted the continued sharp drop in rocket
fire. In the first days of the recent conflict two weeks ago, Hamas was firing between 30 
and 40 rockets a day. Over the past week, that number had dwindled to fewer than 10. 

Cyclists from both Israel and all over the world will join "Good Wheel 2007," an 
international fundraising bike ride, organized by The Israel Sport Center for the Disabled 
(ISCD). Proceeds from the ride will support the rehabilitation of over 2,500 children with 
disabilities who train at the Center. The 265-mile "Good Wheel 2007", which will take place 
between October 14-17, 2007 and is an on-road challenging bike ride for non-professional 
riders. It is neither a race nor a competition. The four-day ride, which will pass through 
the beautiful scenery of the Galilee and the Golan, will start in Afula and end at the 
ISCD in Ramat Gan. The bike ride route is unique appeal as it is tailored for both 
two-wheel bicycle riders as well as tricycle riders.The cyclists will start riding 
together, then split to follow two different routes. Toward the end of each day, the two 
groups will meet to cycle together again to that day's destination. "This is the only bike 
ride in Israel where able-bodied riders will ride alongside disabled riders, supporting 
and encouraging each other," said David Koren, the ISCD's Executive Director. Koren, an 
accomplished disabled tricycle rider who cycled in "Good Wheel 2006" reported that the 
overseas riders who joined last year's ride were an inspiration to everyone.