At least three Israelis dead, dozens wounded after barrage of rockets

A rocket was fired towards Ashkelon on Sunday afternoon, hitting a factory in Ashkelon, injuring three people. One was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and later died of his wounds.

By ZACHARY KEYSER, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The vehicle that sustained a direct hit from a rocket near Yad Mordechai (photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The vehicle that sustained a direct hit from a rocket near Yad Mordechai
(photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Three Israelis have been killed and dozens have been wounded since Hamas and Islamic Jihad began sending non-stop barrage of rockets into Israel over the weekend.
The vehicle that sustained a direct hit from a rocket launched from Gaza (Credit: United Hatzalah)
A rocket was fired towards Ashkelon on Sunday afternoon, hitting a factory in Ashkelon, injuring three people. One was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and later died of his wounds. Two more people are still considered to be in critical condition.
A 67-year-old man, 67 years old Moshe Feder from Kfar Saba, was directly hit by a Hamas rocket and killed Sunday in the southern city of Sderot, near KIbbutz Yad Mordechai. The man was driving in his car and the rocket hit his vehicle just as a bus full of soldiers were passing by. 
The man was evacuated to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, where he was pronounce dead - two others were reportedly injured in the attack. Following the death, the road the driver was traveling on, Route 34 as well as Highway 232 have been shut down to traffic.
 
The direct hit took place as President Reuven Rivlin was touring Gaza border communities. 
"When we arrived, we saw a vehicle completely crushed after it was hit by a rocket, a 60-year-old man was lying next to the car unconscious," said Ravit Martinez, a Magen David Adom paramedic. 
"He suffered from a shrapnel wound in the thigh and lost a lot of blood. We attempted to give him life-saving medical treatment...on the way we had to perform CPR and evacuated him to the hospital as he was in critical condition," the paramedic said. 
Hamas claimed responsibility for the death, as well as the barrage of rockets they fired into Israeli territory over the past 24 hours, since early Saturday morning. 
Close to 600 rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since the security situation escalated over the weekend, according to the Israeli Air Force.
In unrelated strike incidents, two other people have been confirmed dead and several more are in critical condition. Dozens have been wounded, as well as Palestinians caught up in the action on the other side of the attacks. 
Earlier Sunday, Moshe Agadi, a 58 year-old father of four, died after being critically injured when a rocket hit a building in Ashkelon on Saturday night.
Agadi was hit with shrapnel in his chest as a rocket hit his home in Ashkelon. He died en route to the hospital.
"Moshe went out for a cigarette between every few rocket sirens," his brother Shmulik said. "That time he did not make it back into the shelter in time. The paramedics tried performing CPR and he was rushed to the hospital, but he did not make it."
Shai, another one of Moshe's brothers told the Army Radio that "Moshe always showed his respect to everyone.
"We don't know how to keep going, if Moshe was here he would find us hope, now we are helpless," Agadi said.
President Reuven Rivlin expressed his sorrow.  "I send my condolences to the legendary Agadi family, who lost their father Moshe tonight during the harsh rocket fire in Ashkelon.
"We send you a big hug of condolence and sympathy for your terrible loss," said Rivlin.
Head of Labor Avi Gabbay wrote, "My condolences to the family of Moshe Agadi from Ashkelon who was killed by a rocket and sends best of wishes for the wounded. The residents of the south deserve to live in peace and security, just like anywhere else in the country."
Agadi's funeral will be held today in the New Cemetery in Ashkelon at 4 p.m. Israel time.
A rocket also fell close to a bus transporting IDF soldiers, injuring two soldiers who were lightly injured from shrapnel.

Channel 12 news also reported a rocket hit Beersheba, however no injuries were reported.
Shrapnel from an Iron Dome interceptor hit the Oncology wing at the Barzilai Hospital after it struck down a rocket making its way toward Israeli territory.
The Barzilai Hospital Spokesperson announced that since the latest round of conflict, 115 Israeli civilians were treated at the hospital. Three died of their wounds, three are in a critical condition, one moderately injured, 53 lightly injured and 55 were treated for shell shock
Soroka Hospital reported treating eleven people injured who arrived at the hospital for treatment. Ten were suffering from shell shock or light injuries sustained while reaching for the shelters, and one was critically injured after falling from a roof during a rocket alarm. 
Red alerts continue to rock the country from the Gaza border, to the south and even central Israel.
This is a developing story.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


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