Rockets in the Negev
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
Rocket barrage hits South
Rockets land at Zikim area south of Ashkelon, near Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, Kerem Shalom and at sea; No injuries. IDF responds with artillery fire at launch areas
The Palestinians are continuing to launch rockets: Six Qassam rockets were fired at Israel Friday morning and afternoon. In the latest strike, a Qassam fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open area near Sderot, causing no injuries.
Earlier, rockets fell in the Mediterranean Sea, the Zikim area south of Ashkelon, and the Yad Mordechai area. A rocket was later fired at the Kerem Shalom community, and another one was fired at the Zikim area. All of the rockets fell in open territory in Israel and the PA, and there were no injuries. The Palestinians claimed that fired five rockets in the direction of Ashkelon.
Following the rocket fire, the IDF began firing shells at areas in northern Gaza used to launch rockets at the western Negev.
On Thursday, a number of residents of Sderot sent a letter to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, calling on him as a resident of the city to work in a determined matter against the Qassam fire. "We are not willing to let up on him over this issue and he knows this reality from up close. The burden of proof is on him" a resident from the city said.
There are also concerns over the mounting attempts to fire rockets at Ashkelon's southern industrial area. A working committee of local and southern industrialists met with Ashkelon Mayor Ronny Mehatzri, and discussed with him new issues needing answers following the security situation in the area.
Hanan Greenberg and Ali Waked contributed to this report
