Dozens of rockets as well as mortar rounds were fired from the Gaza Strip Wednesday at southern Israeli towns. Hours later the IDF fired tank shells at what it termed “terror targets” in the Strip.
Israeli reports put the number of rockets at over 60, and Islamic Jihad, which took responsibility for the attack, said it had fired 90 rockets at Israel. The organization said in a statement that it had launched an ongoing “military operation,” which it termed “Ending the Silence.”
No Israeli casualties were initially reported in the largest attack from the Strip since Operation Pillar of Defense in late 2012. Most of the rockets were reported to have fallen in open areas, though at least one rocket landed in a residential neighborhood. Damage was reported in two impact sites.
Four consecutive alarms were heard by residents of Sderot as well as the nearby Eshkol Regional Council. Residents throughout the entire region were instructed to remain in protected areas. Explosions were heard in Sderot, Netivot and surrounding areas.
Some of the rockets were reported to have been launched from the east Gaza City neighborhood of Shuja’iyya. IAF jets were reportedly flying over the Strip, apparently in an effort to thwart further rocket launches.
The army said three of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.
Officers in the southern command were set to convene Wednesday evening to discuss possible responses to the attack.
Source: timesofisrael
Lees: Grote raketaanval op Israël
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