Woman lightly injured in Qassam attack
Despite IDF operations in Beit Hanoun aimed at preventing attacks, more than ten Qassams land across Negev since Thursday morning
In the midst of IDF operations, Qassams continue to fall: Seven rockets were launched Thursday evening, at approximately 7:15 p.m. from northern Gaza at the western Negev.
One rocket landed in the yard of a house in Sderot, damaging the house. A number of people are suffering from shock following the incident.
Concurrently, six other rockets landed in various spots in the Negev, three of them near Sderot, one near Nativ Haasara and two of them south of Ashkelon. No casualties or damages have been reported and the rockets are believed to have landed in open areas.
Rocket in Sderot (Photo: Amir Cohen)
More than ten rockets were launched at Israel since Thursday morning, while IDF soldiers were in Beit Hanoun as part of an operation aimed at preventing the shootings.
Thursday afternoon, two rockets were launched at Sderot – one landed in the outskirts of the city and the second hit a residential yard, causing a fire. One woman was lightly injured from shrapnel.
A town resident said: "We heard an explosion and saw black smoke, from Itamar, across from us. It's an area that has absorbed a number of hits."
A 23 year old pregnant woman went into shock following the attack and was brought to the hospital with severe stomach pains, where she was subsequently hospitalized.
Temporary increase of rockets expected
At the same time as the incident, two IDF soldiers, who had been lightly injured from shrapnel during operations in Beit Hanoun, were brought to Barzilay hospital in Ashkelon.
Two of the rockets launched Thursday morning landed next to kibbutzes in the western Negev, causing damage to underground wires.
Even prior to the recent IDF operation in Beit Hanoun, it was estimated that it would precipitate increased rocket fire temporarily and, indeed, seven rockets were already launched Wednesday, resulting in casualties and damages.
Nonetheless, it is posited that, in the long run, the operation will have damaged the Qassam-launching infrastructure.
Wednesday, one of the rockets hit a factory, causing a large fire. Two people were subsequently injured. Another rocket landed in southern Ashkelon, very close to a strategic facility, but caused no damages.
The IDF continues its activities in the Beit Hanoun area, where it has been operating since Monday. According to Palestinian claims, four Beit Hanoun residents – including a 15 year old boy and a 75 year old man - were killed Thursday.
