3 civilians killed in IDF strike in Gaza

Several hours after barrage of 30 Qassam rockets hits southern communities, army fires missile at vehicle reportedly carrying Islamic Jihad gunmen, but accidentally kills three family members, including child. Military sources confirm missile accidentally hit civilians
Ali Waked

At least three Palestinian civilians were killed Wednesday afternoon in an IDF airstrike on a car traveling in Gaza's Sheikh Raduan neighborhood, Palestinian sources reported.

The strike was apparently carried out in response to a barrage of at least 30 Qassam rockets fired Wednesday morning at Gaza vicinity communities.

Rocket Attack

Qassam salvo hits western Negev / Shmulik Hadad

(Video) Sderot, Ashkelon residents wake up to another day of rocket attacks following IDF operation which killed 19 Palestinians. At leaset 28 rockets fired from Gaza within one hour; several people suffer from shock, hothouses damaged

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Military sources confirmed that a vehicle traveling near the strike's original target – a terror cell involved in the firing of rocket attacks – was accidentally hit, adding that the incident was being looked into.

Palestinian sources in the Strip reported that the three civilians killed were the members of one family – 13-year-old Amir Yazgi, his father and uncle. According to the sources, the missile was apparently directed at Islamic Jihad gunmen, but accidentally hit a jeep traveling behind their vehicle.

The residents of Sderot and Ashkelon woke up Wednesday to a continuing rocket barrage, as at least 30 Qassam rockets were fired from northern Gaza towards the two cities. Several people suffered from shock.

Most of the rockets landed in open areas, but a loud explosion was heard coming form Ashkelon's industrial area. One of the rockets landed in Kibbutz Zikim, south of Ashkelon. There were no reports of injuries, but some of the kibbutz hothouses were damaged.

A worker at Ashkelon's southern industrial zone told Ynet, "We ran to the fortified rooms every few minutes, we heard the explosions around us, and it was terrifying. Now it has quieted down, but it's still very tense."

Hamas has escalated the rocket fire over the past 24 hours, following IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in 19 dead Palestinians gunmen, including the son of senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Zahar.

"We shall respond to the crimes committed by the Israelis in the only language which they understand," al-Zahar threatened Tuesday.

Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report