More rockets fired at South despite reports of ceasefire

Rocket intercepted by Iron Dome; several land in open territory; IAF thwarts rocket-launching cells in northern Gaza.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF
Smoke trails from rockets being fired in Gaza 311 (R) (photo credit: Yannis Behrakis / Reuters)
Smoke trails from rockets being fired in Gaza 311 (R)
(photo credit: Yannis Behrakis / Reuters)
Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel resumed on Sunday evening and continued into Monday morning.
Sixteen rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip after midnight on Sunday. Four kassam rockets landed in Sderot, the Eshkol Regional Council area and on the outskirts of Ashkelon. No injuries or damage were reported in the attacks. An additional rocket damaged a building in the Eshkol Regional Council on Monday morning and the Iron Dome anti-rocket shield intercepted one rocket fired in the direction of Ashkelon.
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The rocket attacks continued despite reports that Hamas was seeking an immediate ceasefire with Israel.
Late on Sunday, the Israeli Air Force struck terror cells attempting to launch rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. It was not clear if Palestinians were injured in the air strike.
Prior to the IAF action, two rockets were fired at Ashkelon. One was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket shield, and another fell south of the city in an open area, failing to cause damage.
Minutes earlier, the color red rocket alert had been activated in the Sha’ar Henegev Regional Council, sending residents fleeing for cover. A rocket fell near a kibbutz in the area, however no injuries were reported.
On Sunday morning, barrages of rockets were fired at Beersheba and Ashkelon. Roughly half of the rockets fired at both cities were intercepted by the Iron Dome.
One rocket struck an empty high school and pierced the roof, sending shrapnel flying. Fortunately, the building was empty due to the summer holidays.
The farming community of Eshkol Regional Council was shelled by Palestinian mortars throughout the day.
One of the shells retrieved by IDF sappers contained phosphorous, designed to create a more intense fire after detonation.
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