Western Negev, southern cities experience hellish night of incessant rocket fire, despite IAF's decision not to strike Gaza targets; Iron Dome intercepts rockets over Beersheba, Ashkelon Ynet reporters
The IAF refrained from mounting strikes in Gaza overnight, but the Strip's terror groups failed to afford Israel the same courtesy, firing rockets on western Negev communities relentlessly throughout the night.
The Iron Dome defense system intercepted one Grad rocket fired at Beersheba and three Grads fired at Ashkelon in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Color Red alert sounds across the greater Beersheba and Ashkelon areas shortly before Iron Dome was engaged.
South under fire:
- Israel fears further escalation in south
- Minister: Hamas will pay heavy price
- Man killed, baby hurt as rockets pound south
- Southern Israel under fire; 11 hurt in rocket attacks
Three Qassam rockets exploded in open areas in the Hof Ashkelon Regional council just moments before, causing some property damage.
Seven mortar shells landed in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council of the early hours in the morning, causing no harm.
Saturday's rocket fire on southern Israel was one of the worst to follow Operation Cast Lead, leaving one man dead and dozens injured in its wake.
The defense establishment is gearing for a possible escalation in the southern sector, as well as for the possibility that the IDF will have to mount a more powerful response against Hamas and the other terror organizations in Gaza.
Defense establishment officials expressed concern that rocket attacks from Gaza will intensify on Sunday, and possibly throughout the week; ordering the National Emergency Management Authority storage facilities be opened in the morning.
Shmulik Hadad, Ilana Curiel and Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report
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