Over 70 rockets have been fired from Gaza into southern Israel since
Wednesday morning (Oct 24). Five civilians were wounded, two of them critically.
The Iron Dome system intercepted seven rockets aimed at major Israeli
cities. Several houses suffered direct hits. Schools have been closed in three
regional councils in the area and citizens were instructed to remain in bomb
shelters. Crossings from Israel to the Gaza Strip have been closed due to the
ongoing danger.
In response to heavy rocket fire, an IAF aircraft targeted a rocket launching
site in the northern Gaza Strip. An IAF aircraft targeted a tunnel used for
smuggling by terror organizations in the northern Gaza Strip and Armored Forces
targeted terror activity sites.
IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai said that Israel holds Hamas responsible for all
rocket fire from Gaza.
PM Netanyahu: "We neither chose nor initiated this
escalation, but if it continues we are prepared for much more extensive and
deeper action. In any case, we will continue with preventative operations.
Whoever intends to attack Israeli citizens needs to know that he will bear the
consequences."
President Peres: "There is no circumstance under which they
will fire upon on us and we will sit on our hands. I want to tell the residents
of Gaza and their leaders, they have to decide what they want - to build or to
shoot."
On Tuesday, October 23, an IDF officer was severely wounded while on a
routine patrol adjacent to the security fence in the central Gaza Strip when
Palestinian terrorists detonated an explosive placed on a gate. On Tuesday
night, Israel Air Force aircraft successfully targeted a rocket launch squad in
Gaza which was in its final stages of preparation to fire rockets.
PM Netanyahu (Oct 23): "These terror attacks, which threaten
all of us, continue unabated. Today we engaged in exchanges against terrorist
aggression that comes from our southern border in Gaza, but it actually comes
from Iran and a whole terror network that is supporting these attacks."
Farm workers at a chicken pen were critically wounded
(All photos:
IDF Spokesperson)