BICOM

Officials in southern Israel expressed frustration at the ongoing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. Several rockets were fired at western Negev communities from the Strip overnight Thursday, stretching the fragile armistice between Israel and Palestinian militants groups. Following the attacks, many schools in the south will remain closed today.

The IDF refrained from targeting any terrorist infrastructure in the Strip Thursday, following a request from Egypt to temper its response in order “not to lose proportions” and allow the ceasefire time to take effect.

Palestinian militants fired a Grad rocket at Ashdod, which was intercepted by a nearby Iron Dome anti-missle battery. Moments later Qassam rockets hit open areas in Eshkol Regional Council and the outskirts of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported in either case. A fourth rocket fired from Gaza in the early hours of Friday morning and landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injury or damage.

In response to the fire late Thursday night, Palestinian source in Gaza Strip reported that Air Force helicopters fired at an open area in the Sudaniya neighborhood in the Strip’s northwest, as well as east of Gaza City. Other reports from Gaza said that Israel Navy ships fired at the Gaza coast. No injuries were reported.

Following the sporadic rocket fire and mounting security concerns, several municipalities, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, Ofakim and Gan Yavne announced that they intend to suspend Friday’s school day.