Sderot braces for more rockets
Southern town under attack: More than 40 Qassams fired at Sderot Tuesday, bomb shelters opened; meanwhile, more social workers, psychologists dispatched to help residents, IDF decides to keep schools open
In the meeting, led by Mayor Eli Moyal, officials decided to boost the entire support system offered to Sderot residents coping with ceaseless Qassam attacks. Bomb shelters will be opened and more social workers, psychologists, and doctors will be sent to help residents.
Four civilians, including a 5-year-old girl, sustained shrapnel wounds in Tuesday's attacks. One of the rockets fired at Sderot hit a power line, causing power outages in some sections of town.
Turbulent Tuesday
Mayor Moyal said the rocket attacks were an ongoing reality and added that officials were constantly assessing the situation. "The defense establishment also boosted its forces here in Sderot. Regarding the education system, we will consult with security officials and together take a decision regarding the opening of schools on Wednesday." Later, the army decided to keep schools open.
Victim of attack (Photo: AP)
The Qassam offensive started around 4:15 PM Tuesday, with one rocket hitting a chicken processing plant in town. Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigades claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks and also for separate mortar attacks.
The rocket strikes were part of a turbulent Tuesday that saw a volunteer from Ecuador murdered by a Palestinian sniper in a Gaza-region kibbutz.
IDF forces were also busy throughout the day, with a total of 18 Palestinians killed in various IDF attacks and operations, including the son of senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Zahar.
