Security officers in some communities close to the Gaza security fence instructed school and pre-school teachers not to let the children go outside on Friday so that they could reach shelter quicker in case of rocket attacks. The decision will be reviewed on Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces called on Gaza-area residents to be extra alert following the most recent firing of missiles from the Hamas-controlled area. The alert followed the launching of a Grad Katyusha rocket that struck Be'er Sheva on Wednesday.