Qassam landing site
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
7 Qassams fired toward Negev region
Rocket fire on Sderot, nearby areas comes just hours after IDF strikes kill six Palestinians in Gaza; child lightly hurt while running for cover
Seven Qassams were fired by Palestinians in northern Gaza Tuesday evening toward Sderot and the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council area.
During the latest Qassam barrage at around 9 pm, one rocket landed near Sapir College while another one landed near Sderot. A child who was rushing to take cover was reportedly lightly bruised.
Qassam landing site in Negev (Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman)
At approximately 6:55 pm the "Color Red" warning system in Sderot sounded twice. A number of rockets landed in open areas outside the city and within Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council limits. Earlier in the day a mortar fired from north Gaza landed near a western Negev kibbutz.
The rocket barrages came just a few hours after six Palestinians were killed during three separate IDF strikes in Gaza. News agencies reported that among those killed were five operatives from the Army of Islam who were planning a terror attack against Israel. The cell members were killed when the car they were travelling in near Khan Younis was hit by a missile.
Meanwhile, Palestinian and Egyptian officials said a ceasefire between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza will go into effect this coming Thursday at 6 am, but Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in response to the statement that “we are currently examining the possibility of reaching a truce in the near future – but it's too early to announce it.
"The IDF is prepared for any development, but it is important to maximize the chance for a truce in order to promote calmness among the Gaza-vicinity communities as well as negotiating to release (kidnapped IDF soldier) Gilad Shalit,” he said.
