Two additional rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council earlier. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The IAF is attacking terrorist targets in Gaza. Reports from the Hamas-controlled area speak of at least two dead and an unspecified number of injured.

While senior police and IDF commanders are meeting, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is not convening his security cabinet or forum of eight ministers, signaling it is unlikely that he is planning any major operation at this time.

Israel Police have moved to a level 3 operational status nationwide, one level under a state of emergency. Reinforcements have been ordered into the southern areas to address the current situation. Magen David Adom has followed nationwide, raising its operational level, and in the south, areas within rocket range of Gaza, MDA is operating at its highest level, state of emergency status.

The prime minister appears to prefer a minimal response at this time. Senior officials are signaling that if terrorists continue to strike southern Israeli areas, the prime minister will have no alternative but to strike back more than is taking place at present.

All communities within rocket range are instructed to remain in safe rooms and shelters over the night. School has been canceled in the Gaza border communities, Beersheva, Ashkelon, Gan Yavne, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Kiryat Malachi for Sunday. Sapir College, Ashkelon College and Beersheva University will also remain closed due to the situation in the south.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)