VIDEO - A 17-year-old Sderot resident sustained serious injuries and three others were lightly wounded in a Qassam attack on the western Negev town Wednesday evening, the local municipality said.
The rocket landed in the city center, causing damage to buildings in the area; residents were asked to remain indoors.
'It is time the State of Israel wakes up.' Ashkelon (Photo: Nir Fartuk)
Also on Wednesday, Palestinian gunmen fired four Qassam rockets that landed in open areas south of Ashkelon.
No injuries were reported, but residents said loud explosions were heard in the southern end of the city.
Rockets landed in the southern part of the city earlier in the day.
An Ashkelon resident told Ynet: "I saw three large smoke mushrooms and a lot of ambulances driving to the area. I heard an explosion; I looked out of the window and saw more landings."
A resident of the neighborhood where the rocket fell said: "We are very close to the landings. We heard three explosions and then sirens. That's the first time the windows really shook."
Ashkelon Mayor Ronny Mahatzri told Ynet earlier Wednesday that Israel cannot hope for miracles to happen when rockets are fired.
"Over the last two weeks the number of rockets fired at Israel rose and today they claimed a very heavy price in terms of human life. It is time the State of Israel wakes up and acts in a determined manner to stop these terror attacks from Gaza with all the means it has at its disposal both artillery attacks, aerial and land," he said.
Mahatzri has convened a meeting with local ambulance, medical and emergency services to discuss the situation and urged them to upgrade their readiness in case the situation worsens.
Mahatzri is also expected to meet with Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Jerry Girshon, as well as police southern district commander Maj.-Gen. Uri Bar-Lev.
The city also organized shelters for residents living in areas lacking enough shelters.
First published: 17:00, 11.15.6