Rocket fired from Gaza Saturday
Photo: Tzafrir Abayov
Qassam rocket lands south of Ashkelon
No injuries in latest rocket attack; Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for strike
A rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip Saturday afternoon landed south of Ashkelon. The Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed a rocket fired at the same area earlier.
Gideon Sharabi, the regional security chief, told Ynet that the Red Color alert was activated in the area and that a loud blast followed soon after.
"No injuries or damages were caused," he said. "The rocket hit an open area…our efforts to pinpoint the landing site are continuing."
Earlier Saturday, authorities discovered that a mortar shell landed in the greenhouses of a Gaza-region community. The shell was apparently fired during the offensive targeting a nearby military base overnight. One soldier, 21-year-old Noam Nakash, lost his right leg in the attack. Seven other soldiers suffered various injuries.
Also Saturday, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said Israel is nearing a wide-scale operation in the Gaza Strip.
"There's no doubt we're getting closer to a wide-scale operation in Gaza, but it will be different from what took place in the past," Vilnai said during an event in the southern city of Beersheba. "The truce is important to us and to them, as we control the crossings and the other side is afraid of the IDF's strength. But we must find the right time for an operation. Their provocations are not leaving us with much choice."
