Israel awakens to 6 am rocket salvo
Gaza terrorists launch rockets on cities in central, southern Israel; IAF strikes launching pads used for morning attack.
Some one million Israelis woke up to the sound of alarms after 6 am on Sunday morning, as Code Red sirens blared in cities across central and southern Israel: Rehovot, Rishon LeZion, Modi'in, Ashdod, Lod, Ashkelon, Ramle, Ben Gurion Airport, and other smaller communities.
The shockwaves from the explosions were heard as far as the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Four rockets were intercepted during the salvo – three over Lod and one in the skies of Ashdod. The IDF reported that the Israeli Air Force attacked the launchers used for the early morning rocket fire.
The air raid sirens wailed overnight Saturday in the Eshkol, Sha'ar HaNegev, and Sdot HaNegev Regional Councils from midnight until 5 am – a total of 10 rockets landed in open spaces in the Gaza border region. Two of the rockets exploded inside Eshkol, causing light damage to a house and a public structure. No one was injured in the rocket salvo.
Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, 605 rockets fell inside Israel (84 on Saturday) and 143 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system (at least 6 on Saturday).
After 9 pm, 10 rockets were fired at central Israel in two volleys. Rocket alert sirens were sounded in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Herzliya, Rehovot, Yavne, Nes Tziona, Lod, Ramle, among others.
Al Jazeera reported six J-80 missiles were fired at Tel Aviv. The Iron Dome intercepted two rockets over the Tel Aviv area. Two others fell in open areas near Rishon LeZion. Shrapnel was found in Ramat Efal and Ramat Gan. No damage was caused. Magen David Adom paramedics treated several citizens suffering from shock.
Police had to disperse some 100 people who gathered at an Iron Dome battery site in central Israel.
Prior to the barrage at central Israel, Hamas has announced it would fire at Tel Aviv at 9 pm.
