7 Qassams land in south; no injuries
Three rockets land in Sderot, one explodes near school causing a fire. Earlier Friday four Qassams hit western Negev, kibbutz south of Ashkelon. Non injuries reported in any of the attacks
Seven Qassam rockets landed in Sderot and the western Negev since Friday noon. No injuries were reported in any of the attacks, but a fire broke out in the southern town.
The latest barrage hit at 5:30 pm, when a Qassam landed near the entrance to the town, causing no injuries or damage. Earlier, three Qassam rockets were fired at Sderot. Two of the rockets landed in town; one fell near a school and caused a fire. The third rocket fell within Palestinian territory.
Shortly after noon Qassams landed in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council, near a kibbutz in the Sdot Negev Regional Council and in a kibbutz south of Ashkelon. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
Some 10 rockets were fired at the western Negev on Thursday, one of them landing near the town of Netivot.
Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin told Ynet on Friday, "We are hoping for a quiet holiday and hope that all the council's residents and IDF soldiers will be able to celebrate the holiday of Passover.
"We know, however, that the security situation in our region is very tense, and therefore both the army and all the functionaries in the council are on the alert 24 hours a day in order for the residents to feel safe."
IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi on Friday addressed the tense situation in the Gaza Strip during an interview with IDF radio.
"The fighting there is difficult, long, and demanding, but the IDF soldiers fighting there are filled with understanding and motivation to do the job well in order to provide the residents of the area with peace. We are determined to continue fighting until we stop the terrorism in Gaza," he said.
Ashkenazi plans to celebrate Passover with Givati troops.
Meanwhile, the rocket-stricken town of Sderot is also preparing for Pesach. Police Chief Superintendent Shimon Nahmani has said that forces at the local station would be boosted during the holiday, while the IDF has examined the Color Red alert system ahead of the seder night.
Yonat Atlas contributed to this report
