A Grad rocket struck an empty kindergarten in Ashdod on Monday, sending several people into shock and causing heavy damage to buildings in the area.
Ashdod municipality workers survey damage at a kindergarten hit by a Grad-type rocket launched from Gaza, Monday.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimksi
The facility was empty due to a Home Front Command directive to keep schools and kindergartens closed.
Local residents had complied with safety instructions, entering bomb shelters and safe rooms after hearing the warning siren.
The epicenter of the day's rocket attacks was Ashkelon, where five Grads damaged structures and sent people into shock. Another four landed later, causing no damage.
By Monday evening, the day's total stood at 37 rockets fired at the South. One struck Beersheba, two hit Kiryat Malachi, seven fell in Netivot and seven landed in Ofakim.
A rocket also fell east of Ashdod in the Hevel Yavne Regional Council, and another landed in the western Negev, injuring two.
Police sappers had recovered the remains of 11 rockets by evening.
Since Operation Cast Lead was launched last week, 300 rockets have been fired at southern Israel. Ashkelon was hit by 80, with around half falling in built-up areas.
Four Israelis have been killed, 10 moderately to seriously wounded, and 29 slightly wounded. Another 144 have been treated for shock.
