Siren goes off, prompting residents to take cover
Photo: Amir Cohen
Mistake prompts Ashkelon siren scare
Local residents rush to protected spaces after rocket alert system mistakenly activated
False alarm: The rocket alert siren was mistakenly activated in the southern city of Ashkelon Tuesday afternoon, prompting residents to rush to take cover.
The latest incident does not mark the first time that the siren in Ashkelon goes off by mistake. A month ago, a similar incident took place, prompting thousands of concerned residents to contact police.
The siren could be heard across Ashkelon around 4 pm, but a short time later it turned out that no rockets were fired at the city.
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In another incident about two weeks ago, many deaf residents of the city were under the impression that Israel was facing a rocket offensive, after the special beepers they received from the IDF Home Front Command informed them of incoming rockets. Later, another message was sent to reassure residents that the previous warning was sent by mistake.
Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel will ultimately find a way to curb Palestinian rocket attacks.
Referring to the IDF's activity in Gaza, Barak said "we are committed to providing security for all of Israeli communities surrounding the Strip. It won't be achieved tomorrow or next week, but calm will eventually set in, as it has in the past."
