As a result of the sharp increase in rocket attacks into southern Israel during recent days, 4,000 Ashdod students were informed all non-fortified school buildings in the city would remain closed on Monday, 19 Shevat 5774. The decision follows a number of retaliatory attacks carried out by the Israel Air Force on Sunday, including a surgical strike in which terrorists responsible for recent rocket attacks were killed in Gaza City.

The decision was not made by the IDF, but rather by Ashdod City Hall as the mayor and other city officials felt it was the responsible step to take to protect students attending schools that are not fortified against rocket attacks.

Ashdod is the only city to implement such a measure and Monday was the third consecutive day in which non-fortified schools were shut. Some parents accuse City Hall of “capitalizing on the situation”, upset by the decision.

Mayor Dr. Yechiel Lasri announced during the late morning that after consulting with defense commanders in the area, the decision was made to open non-fortified schools at noon after they explained the intelligence community does not expect an increase in rocket fire in response to the IAF sorties over Gaza.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)