Rockets landed in the city of Sderot. Code Red sirens were sounded throughout the south, including in Be’er Sheva.
Among the regions where sirens sounded were: Sdot Negev, Ashkelon Beach, Shaar Hanegev and Eshkol. MDA reported that three people were lightly injured by shrapnel from an attack on Sderot.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened the Security Cabinet to discuss dealing with the deteriorating situation.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated that IDF fighter planes began attacking terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip after heavy barrages were launched towards southern communities. In addition, tanks bombard Hamas positions in the northern Gaza Strip.
Militants in Gaza released a statement warning that if Israel increases its response, they will launch rockets even further into Israel.
At the same time as the announcements of the Israeli attack, the joint military operations unit in the Gaza Strip announced that it had begun firing dozens of rockets at Israeli communities and military posts “in response to the crime committed by Israel last night.”
Due to the security situation, all residents of Sedot Negev were instructed to stay close to protected areas at all times. In the event of a red color alarm, enter protected spaces.
All events scheduled for tonight are canceled. The Mayor of Ashkelon said that “in the context of the security tensions, Mayor Tomer Glam has ordered the opening of all the public shelters throughout the city, and teams of the Operations Administration are making their way to the various centers in order to do so.”
