Netanyahu defendds press conference on reform

Two hundred rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel on Saturday, and Israel's Iron Dome system intercepted dozens of them. Air raid sirens sounded in Gaza-area towns, as well as in Beit Shemesh and other Jerusalem-area towns. Rockets also landed in the courtyards of a home and school in Kiryat Gat. "We can confirm that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad together with Hamas are responsible for firing 200 rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilians over the last 8 hours," an IDF statement read. An 80-year-old woman was severely injured in Kiryat Gat, after suffering shrapnel wounds to her face. It is not clear what the shrapnel was from. Magen David Adom (MDA) said they administered first aid and transferred the woman to Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center, conscious and in severe but stable condition. The shrapnel, which hit her head and limbs, hit blood vessels and caused massive bleeding. "Immediately after the siren sounded in the Kiryat Gat area, we were called to treat a woman who was injured by shrapnel," MDA paramedic Efraim Yanko said. "When we arrived at the scene, we saw a woman of approximately 80 lying fully conscious and suffering wounds to her head and limbs. We administered life-saving medical aid and transferred her urgently to Barzilai Hospital, in severe and stable condition." MDA also said they provided aid to a woman who suffered injuries to her limbs while running to a safe area in Gan Yavne, as well as to a woman who suffered shock in Kiryat Gat. In Ashkelon, a man of 50 suffered moderate injuries when a rocket hit the house he was in. He was transferred to Barzilai Medical Center, with shrapnel wounds in his limbs. Reports said an additional Gaza-area home also suffered a direct hit. A total of twelve other people have suffered light injuries, and another six have suffered shock. Bathers on Ashdod's beaches were evacuated. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups warned Israel not to continue retaliating for the rockets fired at its citizens. "Our reactions will become extreme if [Israel] continues its attacks," their statement warned. "We are following Israel closely."Later on Saturday, Israel closed its Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings with Gaza and closed the enclave's fishing area.