IDF and IAF continue to strike Gaza Strip following 400+ rockets fired at Israel’s south; Netanyahu met with security and IDF officials; IDF reinforces Armored Corps, infantry units on Gaza border, deploys reserve soldiers and Iron Dome systems.
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Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired over 400 rockets at southern Israel from Monday evening into Tuesday.
A 40-year old Palestinian from the West Bank was killed after a rocket hit a residential building in Ashkelon on Monday night. A 60-year old woman was also injured, with dozens of injuries reported overnight into Tuesday from residents in southern Israel. At one point, the IDF reported that one rocket per minute was fired over the course of two hours.
The Iron Dome intercepted around 100 of the 400 rockets fired.
Majority of the projectiles landed in open areas, but many damages to infrastructure and residential homes have been reported. Given the situation, schools in southern cities and towns are closed Tuesday and residents warned to remain indoors and near shelters.
Hamas threatened to extend its range of fire to Be’er Sheba and Ashdod if the IDF does not stop its strikes in Gaza, a spokesman for the terror organization announcing on Twitter “Occupied al-Majdal (Ashkelon) is now in our cross hairs in response to the shelling that targeted civilian buildings in Gaza … Ashdod and Be’er Sheba are the next targets if the enemy continues to bombard civilian buildings.”
The IDF hit over 100 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight into Tuesday, warning Hamas would be held accountable for all terror and aggression. The IDF confirmed it hit Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in airstrikes overnight, including 3 terror tunnels, naval targets, an arms and ammunition warehouse, rocket launching sites and more.
The IDF confirmed on Tuesday morning that it would reinforce its infantry units and Armored Corps. It increased its soldiers and forces on the border Tuesday afternoon and called reserve soldiers. Additional Iron Dome systems are also being deployed to the southern region of Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu held an emergency security meeting with the Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s Minister of Defense, the IDF Chief of Staff and senior IDF and security services officers.
Photo: makarenko7/Shutterstock.com
