Barrage continues: 16 Qassams hit western Negev

Rocket attacks against western Negev continue for sixth consecutive day as IDF steps up airstrike against Hamas

Shmulik Hadad
Latest Update: 05.18.07, 22:14 / Israel News

A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed near a school in Sderot and another exploded in an open field, the police said.

An early warning system known as Red Dawn failed to sound a warning siren.

IDF Chief of Staff Lit-Gen Gadi Ashkenazi was touring the city at the time of the attack. "I came to hear and see what more we can do to help," Ashkenazi said after meeting Mayor Eli Moyal and residents of the city.

Hours later, two Qassam rockets were fired at the western Negev. One of the rockets landed on a road in Sderot, lightly injuring a resident. The other hit a house in the Eshkol town. No injuries were reported.

Residents of Sderot and the west Negev woke up to another day of Qassam attacks Friday morning as Hamas intensified its rocket fire at the city for the sixth day.

A rocket hit a Sderot gas station at around 9:30 am, lightly wounding one person. Two more people suffered shock. A second rocket hit a house in the town and caused structural damages.

The first salvo started shortly after 7 am, when Palestinians in north Gaza launched three rockets towards the Israeli community. The Color Red alert system sounded ahead of the attacks