Damage left in cemetery
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
Qassam rocket (archives)
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
Rocket causes heavy damage to Ashkelon cemetery
Four rockets fired at city Friday morning; dozens of graves sustain damage. 'This is a very sad sight,' says gravesite manager
Four rockets were fired at Ashkelon on Friday morning, one of then landing in the city's southern cemetery. Dozens of graves were damaged.
The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, as well as for a shooting attack which left two Israeli guards dead in an industrial zone in the Sharon region.
Israeli official:
Roni Sofer
In light of Palestinian group's announcement that it is ready for six-month truce, sources in Jerusalem say terror from Gaza continues while Hamas' statements are not backed by agreements with other extreme organizations
"One of the graves was completely destroyed, and we are now working cautiously with the police so as not to desecrate the dead. This is a very sad sight."
Some of graves completely destroyed (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov)
An additional rocket landed inside Ashkelon's southern industrial zone, near a strategic facility. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri said Friday, "While the prime minister and the ministers are celebrating, vacationing and having fun, the south's residents are worried – and some of them even entered the bomb shelters this morning.
"It's about time that the Israeli government allows the south's residents to vacation as well, rather than spend the holiday in shelters, constantly worrying about the rocket fire. I call on the government to resign in light of the rockets fired at the area."
