While Israel agreed to halt air force targeted strikes over Gaza for as long as rocket fire into southern Israel stopped, this arrangement was short lived. It was reported last night that Egypt succeeded in obtaining Israeli approval for a halt in fighting for as long as the rocket fire ceased.

Grad katyusha rockets were fired at Beersheva at about 3:00am. One was intercepted by the Iron Dome and the second landed in an open area. Baruch Hashem there were no injuries.

A police spokesman reports this morning, Monday, 18 Adar 5772 that a total of 11 rockets were fired during the night in seven rocket firing incidents. Nine rockets were fired at the Negev and two towards the Lachish district. Once again, B’chasdei Hashem there were no injuries. At least one home was damaged in an attack.

The air force retaliated, striking terrorist weapons storage facilities, rocket-launching pads and terrorists. Sources in Gaza report 1 dead and 35 people were injured as a result of the IAF surgical strikes. The air force reports hitting a terrorist as he was preparing a rocket for launching.

Schools in the 7-40km range from Gaza remain closed today, including Beersheva, Ashdod, Gan Yavne, Kiryat Gat, Gadera and Ashkelon. Residents of these areas are still instructed to remain near safe rooms – close enough to reach the rooms in the event of a siren signaling an incoming rocket attack.

At least 170 rockets were fired at Israel since the start of the latest round of warfare with Hamas on Friday night. Officials in Israel report the rocket fire is still the work of the Islamic Jihad exclusively, and Hamas has to date remained uninvolved.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)