Two IDF soldiers injured by mortar fire in Eshkol
More than 30 rockets and mortar rounds rain on southern town, as Code Red sirens blare from Negev to Tel Aviv.
Two IDF soldiers were injured Thursday night by a mortar round fired from Gaza on the Eshkol Regional Council. One soldier is in moderate condition, while the other sustained light injuries.
The two soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva; their families were updated about their condition.
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Eshkol has been hit by 33 rockets and mortar rounds since midnight.
Photo: AFP
The heavy rocket barrage on Eshkol was launched at the same time as massive rocket fire towards southern cities and towns, mainly Be'er Sheva. Twenty long-range rockets were launched in less than five minutes. A sports complex in Be'er Sheva was hit, and a home also sustained a direct hit – the family was safe and secure in the shelter.
For the first time since IDF Operation Protective Edge began, Code Red sirens were heard in south Mt. Hebron.
Within minutes, a heavy barrage of rockets was launched from Gaza towards the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Code Red sirens blared in Holon, Bat Yam, Rison LeZion, Ramle, Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Yavne, and Gan Yavne.
The Iron Dome missile defense battery intercepted 6 rockets fired towards central Israel.
Earlier in the evening, sirens wailed in Jerusalem, as residents of the capital reported hearing at least five blasts. Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket fire on Jerusalem, saying the rockets were aiming for the Knesset.
A rocket hit a home in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council and nine rockets fell in Eshkol at almost the same time, as Gaza militants continued their missile attack on Israel. No one was injured in the barrage. Earlier, IDF missiles hit two Hamas terrorists belonging to a rocket-launching cell in the northern Gaza Strip.
