The Israel Air Force on Monday morning, 24 Cheshvan 5774 retaliated for rocket attacks into Israel earlier in the day. Four rockets were fired into the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council shortly after 5am. Once again residents of those communities were abruptly awakened by the wailing of sirens. One of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. The others most likely landed in open areas for B’chasdei Hashem there were no fatalities, injuries or damage.

The air force hit two terrorist training bases in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City. According to reports, the bases were empty and there were no fatalities or injuries reported in Gaza.

Israeli officials, heads of southern district communities feel something serious must be done to restore Israel’s deterrence abilities before the escalating situation worsens. They are calling on permitting the IDF to do whatever it takes to restore quiet and halt rocket attacks.

Chaim Levin, who heads the Eshkol Regional Council says “our security cannot be dependent on technology and advanced cameras to watch over them”, explaining the communities along the Gaza border require an IDF presence.

His remarks come amid a final decision to remove IDF soldiers from area communities as the Defense Ministry feels an assessment of the situation permits the new reality. Others claim the move is prompted by budgetary concerns alone, which Defense Ministry officials deny is the case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)