Rocket lands in southern kibbutz
Qassam causes minor damage to structures in Kibbutz south of Ashkelon; IDF responds with artillery fire. Military officials were at kibbutz for meeting at time of attack
The rocket landed in close proximity to residential homes and shattered several windows. According to local residents, the latest attack marks the closest a rocket has reached to hitting homes.
The "Red Dawn" alert system provided residents with advance warning before the Qassam landed.
At the time of the attack, Kibbutz security officials met with members of the IDF's Home Front Command to discuss reinforcing structures at the community. Once the rocket alert system was activated, army officials were also among those who rushed to security rooms.
"Members of the Home Front Command experienced this terrible feeling themselves," kibbutz resident Ilana Mor told Ynet. "You cannot fully grasp the meaning of Qassam fire until you experience it yourself, that terrible fear that paralyzes you."
Monday's attack apparently convinced military officials, who announced the equipment missing for reinforcing kibbutz homes will be transferred in the near future.
Army responds with artillery fire
Mor said she was able to hear the loud explosion as the rocket landed.
"We saw the smoke, and because it landed right next to the homes, I told my kids I'm running over there to see if anyone got hurt," Mor said. "I got there and saw the rocket right next to the homes. It's a miracle there were no casualties. But it's clear to us the current situation cannot continue, and it's becoming more terrible every time."
Following the rocket attack, the IDF directed artillery fire at the area where the rocket was launched from. At the same time, security forces were working to pin-point the Qassam's exact landing spot.
Over the weekend, a barrage of rockets landed near Ashkelon. Israel is planning on escalating its military response, but will not enter Gaza at this stage to launch a ground operation in order to distance Qassam launchers from Israeli communities.
Artillery fire will be boosted, however, as well as aerial attacks on access roads and Qassam launching cells in northern Gaza.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered a boosted Israeli response. Government ministers expressed concern for the residents of Sderot and communities bordering Gaza, as well as Ashkelon, following the increase in Qassam rockets.
The government said the new reality of Qassam rockets and artillery response as well as aerial attacks is unacceptable. Ministers said over the weekend that Israel must ask the U.S. to demand that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas curb the rocket barrages in order to prevent a dangerous escalation in the area.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the story
