The shooting began at around 11:00 a.m., when Palestinians launched five mortar shells at the Kerem Shalom crossing, on the border between Israel and central Gaza. Two structures were damaged, although no one was hurt.
Three additional mortars were fired shortly afterwards at western Negev communities. Later, at around 3:15 p.m., an additional barrage of three mortars hit the area, landing in open areas. There were no ensuing casualties or damages in either of the later volleys.
The latest round of mortars has become part of the routine for area residents. During a tour of Sderot on Monday, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi asked in disbelief three times, "5,000 Qassams have hit Sderot and the Gaza perimeter?"
"It's hard to see the daily suffering of the residents here. It's impossible to live like this," said the Italian premier, on his first visit to the Qassam-battered southern city.
Last Sunday Palestinians in Gaza fired five Qassams toward the western Negev. Four of the rockets landed in open fields, and the fifth landed close to Sapir Academic College near Sderot. One of campus’ buildings, which was under construction, was damaged by the attack, however no injuries were reported.
The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.