Gaza terrorists continued to fire rockets at southern Israel on Saturday, but the intensity and frequency of the attacks slowed greatly after IDF ground troops began to enter the region under cover of a hail of artillery fire that paved their way.
A long-range rocket scored a direct hit on a house in Netivot shortly after 6:00 p.m. One woman suffered shrapnel wounds in the leg. A second rocket also landed in the city, but exploded in an open area. No one was injured. The city was struck by rockets earlier in the day as well.
Another rocket was fired toward Sderot around 8 p.m. and landed in an open area near the Gaza security barrier. Earlier in the evening, rocket attacks were reported near kibbutzim (cooperative communities) in the Sha'ar HaNegev and Eshkol regions. No one was hurt in the attacks.
Three missiles were also fired at Yavne, with at least one of the rockets reportedly hitting the city. No injuries were reported in those attacks either.
Four Grad-type Katyusha missiles slammed into the coastal city of Ashkelon at around the same time in the afternoon. One hit a bomb shelter, sending the people inside into severe emotional shock, although no one was physically injured. Three other rockets landed in open areas around the city.
Ashkelon was struck by at least three other Grad missiles earlier on the Sabbath, one exploding in the courtyard of a home and igniting a blaze. A second missile struck a playground in the city and a third scored a direct hit on a building in the Ashkelon coastal region. No one was physically injured in any of the attacks.
A Grad missile hit an eight-story apartment building in the port city of Ashdod, causing serious damage to the structure and wounding two people. Three others were treated for severe emotional trauma.
The communities of Gan Yavne and Kiryat Malachi were also struck by medium-range rockets during the day.
Closer to Gaza, a short-range rocket struck a kibbutz cafeteria in the Gaza Belt region. Rockets also slammed into Sderot as well as various points in the Eshkol and Sha'ar HaNegev regions.
No School in Sunday in Southern Israel
There will be no school Sunday in any city within 40 kilometers of Gaza. The decision to cancel classes was made by the Home Front Command in light of the IDF ground operation in Gaza and expected rocket fire by terrorists.
Residents of the Eshkol region near Gaza were also told to prepare supplies in case they are ordered by Home Front Command to remain in bomb shelters.
In Sderot, residents have already been told to remain in sheltered spaces.