The most serious strike against the U.S. Navy since the USS Cole bombing in Yemen nearly five years ago killed a Jordanian soldier Friday, wounded another and sparked a nationwide manhunt for the culprits involved.

Two other rockets were fired toward Israel from the same warehouse, which is located in the hills on Aqaba's northern edge about 5 miles from the port. One fell short and hit the wall of a Jordanian military hospital and the other landed inside Israel close to Eilat airport, lightly wounding a taxi driver.

"We have found the rocket launcher in the warehouse from where they fired," Yirfas told The Associated Press in what marked one of the first key breakthroughs in the investigation.

"The investigation is still underway and issues related to it will remain secret so it would not harm the process," Yirfas said. "I cannot give you the names or say if we are looking for the perpetrators in the desert or any other place."

Jordanian security forces are hunting for six people, including one Syrian and several Egyptians and Iraqis, who are believed to have escaped in a vehicle with Kuwaiti license plates after firing the rockets.

Israeli forces today cleared out one of the last strongholds of opposition to the Gaza pullout and began demolishing homes in an empty settlement, avoiding a repeat of previous day’s violence in which youths pelted soldiers with acid, oil and sand.

The quick evacuation of Gadid was the latest sign of progress as Israel pushed forward with its unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. All but four of Gaza’s 21 settlements were cleared out when the army suspended operations today for the Jewish sabbath.

Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas promised his people jobs, freedom of movement and new homes after the pullout is complete.

Speaking to a cheering crowd at the defunct Gaza International Airport, Abbas said Palestinians were experiencing “historic days of joy” as they watched Israeli settlers being taken out of Gaza. His speech was frequently interrupted by cheers from about 700 flag-waving supporters.

Abbas said the Palestinian Authority would rebuild all the homes demolished by Israel during the past five years of conflict, and would reopen the runways to re-establish Gaza’s air links.