BICOM

Up to 15 rockets from the Gaza Strip were fired at southern Israeli communities this morning, the largest salvo to hit Israel during the past two weeks which has seen a steady stream of rocket fire and Israeli air responses.

11 rockets reportedly hit the Eshkol region at around 7am while two struck the Sdot Negev region about ninety minutes later. Earlier in the morning, two rockets landed in open terrain. Although no injuries were reported, two buildings were damaged by shrapnel and several people were treated for shock.

This morning’s barrage followed a weekend of rocket fire on southern Israel. Last night, the Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted two rockets. On Saturday night, six rockets landed in Israel, one of which set a paint factory in Sderot ablaze, causing severe damage. As a result, early Sunday morning, Israel’s Air Force struck 12 specific targets in the Gaza Strip. These included a weapons factory and concealed rocket launchers, according to the IDF which said that the raids were launched “in order to prevent further attacks on Israeli civilians.” Palestinian media said that one person was killed in the air strikes, who Hamas identified as one of its members, according to Haaretz.

On Saturday night, Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon told Sderot’s Mayor Alon Davidi, “We are operating in order to return quiet to the south of the country.” However, Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin commented “The deterrence that we have enjoyed since Operation Pillar of Defence is fading,” in reference to the week-long operation launched by Israel in November 2012 to stop rocket fire from Gaza.

Speaking to his cabinet yesterday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that air strikes on Gaza targets could be expanded if the rocket fire continues. He also said that since establishing a unity government with the backing of Hamas, “the Palestinian Authority became responsible for preventing firing at our territory from the Gaza Strip,” which Hamas has administered since 2007.