2 more Qassams land near Sderot
Two additional rockets land in southern Israel late Monday night, earlier barrage resulted in heated clash in Ashkelon as one resident slapped another who cried, 'Death to Arabs'
Palestinians launched two Qassam rockets towards Sderot late Monday night. Residents reported hearing explosions, though sappers have yet to find the remains of the rockets. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.
The IDF said the rockets were launched from deep within Gaza, a rare occurrence as Palestinian groups commonly use the land close to the border as launch zones. The 'Color Red' alert sirens were not activated.
Over a dozen rockets landed in Israel on Monday in a day wrought with tension for Israel's southern residents. Indirectly, the recent barrage of rockets and missiles also led to arson charges brought against a resident of Ashkelon.
Monday's barrages continued the recent onslaught of rockets and missiles unleashed over previous weeks. The attacks caused further damage when two residents of Ashkelon clashed over the tension, eventually leading to the torching of a Judaica store.
Shlomo Abitbul of Ashkelon was indicted over the fray which, according to the prosecution, occurred after a Grad missile fell in the city, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers.
Abitbul was among them, and at one point began calling "Death to Arabs." But this proved too much for another resident, Joseph Somekh, who moved forward and slapped the chanting Abitbul.
Somekh explained, "Abitbul began to curse and insult the security personnel, and to incite the citizens against them and against the Arabs. I was just trying to calm him down."
Abitbul apparently did not appreciate the gesture and two days later he arrived at Somekh's Judaica store and threatened to torch it. According to the indictment, he carried out his threat a few hours later.
Shmulik Hadad contributed to this report
