Iron Dome intercepts 25 out of 27 rockets fired at Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon; IAF kills 12 Islamic Jihad operatives in Gaza strikes. Gantz: IDF to respond with determination to any attack
Ilana Curiel
Palestinians from northern Gaza fired Color Red alert was sounded across
The South under fire; IDF kills 12 terrorists
Prime Minister Benny Gantz held a special situation assessment on Saturday given the recent rocket attacks in the south. Officials decided that the IDF will respond with determination to any attack on Israel. The officials also praised the Iron Dome system which successfully managed to intercept rockets fired at southern communities.
Deputy IDF chief, Southern Command head, an Air Force official, Home Front Command head, Operational Branch head, IDF spokesman all took part in the meeting.
| IAF strike terror cell in Gaza |
The Iron Dome has successfully intercepted 25 out of 27 rockets fired at Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon. The other two rockets exploded in open fields.
These are the highest success rates for the defense system to date. Gantz praised the IDF officials in charge of operating the system during the situation assessment.
Iron Dome in action (Photo: Avi Manor)
Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich addressed the ongoing rocket fire on Saturday, saying: „This escalation cannot be ignored.” He added that he fully backs the government’s decision to green light targeted killings against terror cell leaders planning a terror attack in Israel.
„These terrorists must understand they bear the responsibility,” Danilovich emphasized. „Even if it causes tensions now, in the long run it will cause deterrence.”
Ashdod reported that the Beersheba from northern Gaza. One of the projectiles landed within city limits. No injuries or damage were reported.
In the early evening hours, the Iron Dome rocket defense system intercepted at least four Grad rockets fired at the southern communities of Ashdod, Gan Yavne and Kiryat Malachi.
The Color Red alert sounded in the Ashdod region immediately after the long-range rockets were fired, prompting residents to rush into bomb shelters and secured rooms. At least one rocket landed in an open area in the city’s vicinity.
More than 80 rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israel’s south on Friday, prompting the Air Force to mount several strikes on Gaza terror cells, killing 12 IIDF attacks overnight, including a commander of the militant group behind the abduction of Zuhair al-Qaissi, the commander of the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee, a large militant group closely aligned with Gaza’s Hamas rulers. The explosion tore apart al-Qaissi’s blue sedan and killed his son-in-law, Mahmoud Hanini – himself a top PRC field commander.
Four people were injured in Eshkol Regional Council, including one critical injury and another mildly injured.
According to the IDF, shortly after midnight, the IAF targeted two terror cells gearing to fire rockets at Israel, killing two terrorists. Palestinian sources said at least two people were killed in the strike, near the Palestinian parliament in central Gaza City.
