Rocket fired at Ashdod; no injuries
Gaza rocket explodes in open area as Palestinian leaders discuss ceasefire. Air Force strikes two rocket launching sites, arms storage facility in Gaza
Despite talk of a ceasefire , the rocket fire continues. A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open area in Ashdod on Tuesday morning. No injuries or damage were reported.
The Air Force hit two rocket launching sites and an arms storage facility in the northern Gaza Strip overnight. The IDF said in a statement that it holds Hamas accountable for the escalation.
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The year 2012 saw the highest number of rockets being fired from Gaza at southern communities since Operation Cast Lead. No less than 858 rockets and mortar shells hit Israel in 2012. Of those, 119 were fired in the latest round of violence.
The data do not include the 110 rockets that were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and dozens more that exploded inside Palestinian territory.
Damage in south (Photo: Eliad Levy)
In comparison, 2011 saw 676 rockets and mortar shells being fired at Israel and 2010 saw 357 rocket launches.
In 2009, immediately after the end of Operation Cast Lead and until the end of the year, 317 rockets and mortar shells hit Israeli territory.
In 2008, which ended with the Gaza offensive, no less than 3,700 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, according to the Shin Bet.
2012 saw record number of rockets hitting Israel (Photo: Eliad Levy)
On Monday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Southern Command Chief Tal Russo for a situation assessment meeting, which was also attended by other IDF senior officials.
It was then announced that the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings would be reopened on Tuesday. It was also decided to allow the continued flow of fuel to the Gaza Strip from Egypt via Kerem Shalom.
Also Monday, the Home Front Command announced that schools will be open in all southern communities on Tuesday.
Neri Brenner contributed to this report
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