While residents of most areas of Israel awaken Sunday and address the stormy weather as they head out to begin a new work week, residents of southern Israel are under IDF orders to remain within a 15 second run to a shelter as the rocket fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza has once again increased in frequency and intensity.

This round of terrorist rocket fire into civilian population centers began near the end of shabbos Parshas Chayei Sara as terrorists fired an anti-tank rocket at an IDF patrol vehicle driving along the Gaza border. The rocket struck the armored vehicle near Nachal Ohz and it immediately burst into flames. The IDF Spokesman confirmed the Givati Brigade soldiers in the patrol vehicle were injured, two seriously and two moderate-to-serious. Other soldiers were less seriously injured. The wounded soldiers were transported to the trauma centers of Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva and Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. Dr. Mickey Sharif of Soroka reported on motzei shabbos that one of the soldiers is in “very serious condition. The two soldiers were hit with a great deal of shrapnel. The second soldier also sustained an eye injury.

The IDF response was heavy tank fire into Gaza towards the area from which the rocket was fired at the patrol vehicle. Terrorist sources in Gaza report at least three fatalities and dozens of injured from the IDF gunfire.

The IDF ordered residents in the 7km (4.2 mile) range from the Gaza border to remain inside shelters, expecting rocket fire from Gaza. The terrorists during the evening and nighttime hours fired at minimum of 30 rockets, including mortar shells and katyusha rockets. Some of the katyusha rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome as they were heading to major population centers. The air force targeted terrorists during the night. The stormy winter conditions and heavy cloud ceiling is making air force operations over Gaza increasingly difficult.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz met with members of the General Staff on motzei shabbos and consulted with Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Barak and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu released messages warning terrorists that Israel will not tolerate the attacks forever, promising an appropriate retaliatory response at some time. There is no talk however of a major military operation and/or ground incursion into Gaza towards bringing the rocket fire to an end.

B’chasdei Hashem, despite the dozens of rockets fired during the night and early morning hours on Sunday, there are no reports of loss of life or physical injuries. There are reports of property damage however.

The IDF announced the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza, used to transport basic supplies to Gazan residents will remain closed indefinitely in response to the warfare.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)