Qassam barrage hits Sderot, no injuries
One rocket launched from Gaza crashes into square in center of western Negev town, another lands in Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. MK Orlev, who was near Sderot impact site, told Ynet he now better understands fears of Gaza-vicinity residents
Hamas is adamant the truce is not over – but it feels decidedly otherwise for Sderot's residents. A Qassam rocket launched from northern Gaza landed in an open area in the town on Sunday afternoon. Another rocket landed in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council.
In addition a barrage of five mortar shells landed in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council. Paramedics treated one woman for shock, although she refused to let them evacuate her to a hospital for additional treatment.
The Color Red rocket alert system sounded throughout Sderot at around 12:25, and a loud explosion was heard several seconds later. The Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
MK Zevulun Orlev, who was in Sderot at the time of the attack, spoke with Ynet: "I arrived in Sderot to visit the hesder yeshiva and examine the fortification of its building. All of a sudden, as I was sitting in the yeshiva, the Color Red alert sounded. We immediately ran to the nearest portable shelter and a second later there was a massive explosion that shook everything.
"We were stunned; it fell 200 meters (about 220 yards) from us. I have a much better understanding of what the residents of Sderot and the Gaza-vicinity communities go though. It's a feeling of helplessness, you feel completely abandoned," he said.
The weekend has been far from quiet over the past weekend. On Friday evening eight soldiers were wounded in a mortar shell barrage that hit an IDF base in Nahal Oz. One of the soldiers was seriously wounded.
Saturday also saw rockets landing in the western Negev, two south of Ashkelon and one in an open area in a different region. No injuries or damage were reported. The Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for those attacks as well.
Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said on Saturday that is was undoubted Israel was moving closer to a wide-scale operation in the Gaza Strip, but that this would be different to other operations seen in the past. Several hours later Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the border crossings through which goods are transferred to Gaza be closed.
