Army chief: Troops engaged in real fighting
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Army chief: IDF to boost Gaza operations if needed
Chief of Staff Ashkenazi: Troops engaged in 'real fighting' in Strip, army may boost operations if necessary
IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Tuesday evening that the army may further expand its operations in the Gaza Strip.
"Our best commanders and soldiers are engaged in real fighting in the Strip," the army chief said. "We will continue to operate in the Strip in order to minimize the Qassam fire."
Speaking at a bereaved families' convention in the Dead Sea, Ashkenazi addressed the fierce fighting in and around Gaza Tuesday, which saw the southern town of Sderot coming under ceaseless rocket barrages, as IDF forces targeted Gaza terrorists.
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Referring to the possibility of upgrading military operations in Gaza, Ashkenazi said that "if necessary, we will expand our operations there."
More than 40 rockets fired from Gaza
Meanwhile, officials in Sderot and other Gaza-region communities are concerned about the prospect of continued rocket fire. Municipal officials in Sderot decided to boost public services aimed at supporting residents in the southern town, and opened bomb shelters.
However, despite the tensions the IDF gave the go-ahead for schools to remain open.
More than 40 Qassam rockets landed in Sderot and other communities in the region throughout Tuesday, including at least 10 rockets fired from Gaza after 10 PM. The rockets landed in open areas and caused no injuries or damage.
