Gaza terrorists fired several Grad-style rockets at the cities of Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva on Monday. The attacks caused damage, but no injuries.
One rocket slammed into a home in Ashkelon, causing heavy damage. Five residents of the building, among them children, managed to run for shelter immediately before the strike. The five were treated for shock, but did not suffer other injuries.
At least one car was badly damaged, as well. The owner of the car had pulled over, grabbed her young child from the vehicle, and ran for shelter just seconds before the rocket hit. The mother and child were unhurt.
The strike took place near a high school where classes were in progress. Students had returned to school earlier in the day after several days during which school was canceled due to attacks. After a brief consultation with the Homefront Command, classes continued in special reinforced rooms.
Many children living in Ashkelon stayed home on Monday despite the fact that schools were reopened, city officials said. Following the rocket attacks on Monday, some parents removed their children from school.
Rockets also hit open areas in Be'er Sheva, near Kiryat Gat, in the Shaar HaNegev region, in the Eshkol region, and in Sdot HaNegev. No injuries were reported in any of the attacks.
At least two rockets hit Sderot, and two landed in open areas immediately adjacent to the town. One rocket hit a home, causing damage. The home was empty at the time of the strike, and no injuries were reported.
Eight Schools Damaged
Education Ministry officials reported Monday that eight daycare centers and schools had sustained damage in rocket attacks in recent days. Two daycare centers were hit in Ashdod, a daycare center and high school were damaged in Be'er Sheva, a high school and elementary school were damaged in Ashkelon, a rocket landed next to an elementary school in Sderot and caused damage, and a structure was damaged in Shaar HaNegev.
No injuries were caused by any of the attacks, as students were not in school. In wake of the attacks, the Homefront Command has ordered schools and daycare centers to close until further notice.
The Homefront Command allowed many schools to reopen on Monday, but classes may only be held in rooms that are reinforced against rocket attacks, or have a reinforced room in close proximity so that students may take shelter in case of attack. Classes may not be held on the top floor of schools.
Education Minister Yuli Tamir explained the decision to reopen schools, saying, “The children have been at home a lot, and tension and impatience are growing. They need to meet other students and teachers. It's hard for them, and sometimes they are more secure in school than at home.” Students will return to school in stages, and in accordance with safety standards set by the Homefront Command, Tamir added.