After being closed for three days due to the escalation in rocket fire into southern Israel, schools in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheva and other southern region municipalities resumed normal activities today, Wednesday, 5 Cheshvan. After consulting with IDF Homefront Command officials, the green light to reopen schools was given.

The main problem surrounds the lack of fortified school buildings. In areas within a 7km (4.5 mile) proximity to the Gaza border, schools have safe rooms and fortified areas, providing students and faculty a place to reach within 15 seconds, the time between rocket detection and impact. These areas have shelters to protect them from incoming rockets. As Hamas improved its striking abilities, the municipalities located deeper in Israel, further from the Gaza border are now in striking range, but they lack the protection. Therefore, tens of thousands of students are exposed to rocket fire, an unacceptable reality.

The last round of stepped-up rocket fire has resulted in renewed calls from local government for the national government to expedite efforts to provide adequate protection for residents and students alike.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)