Hundreds of Kiryat Shmona residents were unable to comply with IDF orders to enter bomb shelters due to a system malfunction. Once the order to enter shelters is given, the bomb shelters are opened by a central computerized locking system, but this did not occur. Many residents reported to the nearest shelter only to learn the door was still locked.

--Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Developing the Negev and Galilee, Shimon Peres, said yesterday’s Hizbullah attack in the north was “coincidental” and was initiated by the Islamic Jihad. “As always, Israel exhibited restraint because we know the game and won’t play into the hands of the Hizbullah, and won’t be drawn in by others,” Peres said.