09:35: Grad katyusha rockets fired in the direction of Beersheva and Netivot. Sirens heard in both cities. Explosions were heard. Iron Dome downed one rocket. Two other rockets landed in an open area. No injuries or damage reported.

10:00: IAF strikes terror targets in Gaza. Reports from Gaza state a 15-year-old boy was killed and 5 children wounded, with two in moderate or moderate-to-serious condition.

10:22: Six Grad katyusha rockets fired at Ashdod. The Iron Dome downed five of them. One landed in an open area. B’chasdei Hashem, no injuries.

10:33: Sirens sounding in Ashdod and Gan Yavne. Two rockets appear to have landed in open areas according to southern area correspondent Nissim Keenan.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz has ordered the air force to continue striking terror targets in Gaza in response to rocket fire.

Speaking to Israel Radio this morning, Monday, 18 Adar 5772, Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon explained the IDF does not wish to send ground forces into Gaza to topple Hamas since Israel is not seeking to control the lives of the residents of Gaza. He explained that the goal here is to rebuild deterrence to restore peace and quiet to the southern region, nothing more. He did state that if the current effort is unsuccessful, then whatever is needed will be done towards halting rocket fire into Israeli civilian population centers.

The tzibur is urged to continue tefilos on behalf of residents of areas in rocket range as well as for the general situation in Eretz Yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)