Arabs in Gaza fired several rockets within 3.5 hours at the Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel, beginning around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday. They all landed in open areas, causing no casualties or damage.

The barrage follows the firing of some 15 rockets at Ashkelon and Sderot Tuesday afternoon and evening.  The "Color Red" warning alarm was sounded around 11:15 PM in Ashkelon, a city of close to 110,000 people, and three tremendous booms were heard. No one was hurt, however.

Among the rockets fired at Sderot late Tuesday was one that scored a direct hit on a private house.  A 14-year-old girl was wounded by shrapnel, and was taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon in moderate condition. Her condition was later reported to have improved.  Two people were affected by smoke inhalation.

A home hit by a Kassam rocket Tuesday evening in Sderot.

(Photo: Flash 90)
A woman injured by a Kassam rocket in Sderot.

(Photo: Flash 90)
A woman suffering from shock after a Kassam rocket exploded near her Tuesday evening in Sderot.

(Photo: Flash 90)
Grown men and children alike duck behind a wall during a Kassam rocket attack in Sderot Tuesday evening.

(Photo: Flash 90)

One rocket hit a power line in Sderot, knocking out electricity in parts of the city for two hours.

Hamas terrorists in Gaza took credit for firing the rockets at Israel. Palestinian Authority sources reported that the IDF fired at the rocket launching cell in Beit Lahiye, in northern Gaza.

Kassam Warning in Presidential Mid-Visit

The visit of President Shimon Peres to Sderot on Tuesday evening was marked by a Color Red warning alarm.  Peres appeared to take the situation in stride, and said the rocket fire would not cause him to change his travel plans.

Peres had been invited to take part in a ceremony marking the conclusion of the writing of a Torah Scroll.  He was greeted by over 200 Sderot residents, who danced, sang and blew shofarot in honor of his decision to brave the rockets and attend the ceremony.

President Shimon Peres in Sderot for a Torah scroll dedication ceremony during Tuesday's Kassam attacks.

(Photo: Flash 90)

Earlier Tuesday, an Israel Air Force rocket targeted a Hamas police station in Gaza, killing six Hamas members.  Three other Hamas terrorists were killed by the IDF during the course of the day.