The IDF Homefront Command has already announced that schools in rocket attack areas between 7km (4.2 miles) from the Gaza border to 40km (24 miles) will remain closed Monday, 18 Adar 5772 for a second consecutive day. The 40 plus rockets that were launched against civilian population centers from the Gaza periphery communities to Beersheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ofakim and Gan Yavne to name a few were more than sufficient to compel the decision.

One of the Grad katyusha rockets hit a school in Beersheva, a yeshiva actually, and there were no injuries because of the decision to close schools today. Schools situated less than 7 kilometers from Gaza are operating since they have heavy fortification and the children are protected while in classrooms. The other areas simply do not have sufficient fortification against bomb attacks to permit placing the children on the front lines.

Senior military commanders have been monitoring the warfare closely and a number of officials have signaled the rocket fire may continue for a number of days, while stating they hope it will not be longer. The worrisome issue at hand is the realization that terrorists in Gaza do have Fajar rockets capable of reaching Gush Dan, and the question is if they will actually make the decision to use them. Such a move would according to most compel a ground forces incursion into Gaza, a move that Hamas would not welcome.

The rocket fire which began erev Shabbos is reportedly being carried out by the Islamic Jihad. Interestingly, Israeli officials feel Hamas does not wish to push a military conflict with Israel at present, yet there are no real answers to the question of “Why doesn’t Hamas stop the rocket fire?”

Israel’s senior analyst Ehud Ya’ari reported on Sunday afternoon that the Islamic Jihad is releasing news alerts in Gaza hourly and pressuring the Hamas leaders to join in the fighting. The terror organization is seeking to embarrass Hamas into adding its forces to the rocket fire, seeking the endorsement of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. If the latter does not officially join the fighting, Ya’ari explains the Islamic Jihad will continue using the current warfare to delegitimize the Hamas leadership in the eyes of Gaza residents.

The sun has set and nighttime brings with it the fears of an escalation in attacks. Two katyusha rockets were fired at Ashkelon at about 19:35. One was intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. Baruch Hashem no injuries were reported.

Southern municipality leaders who have met with and spoken to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the weekend stressed this is not a problem that plagues southern Israel alone and if the proper response is not ordered, the problem will quickly spread to Gush Dan and other areas of the country.

Residents of southern areas are instructed to spend the night near safe rooms and shelters and the fighting continues.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)