The IDF's Home Front Command on Monday ordered the closure of schools in the communities closest to the Gaza Strip, including the cities of Ashkelon, Sderot, Netivot and the Hof Ashkelon, Eshkol, Sdot Negev and Sha'ar HaNegev regional councils.
The directive comes after a series of rocket strikes on the area following clashes between IDF troops and the Islamic Jihad terror group on Sunday.
Some 55,000 students have been told to stay home, the Education Ministry said.