For the first time since Operation Pillar of Defense, a rocket was fired towards Beersheva on Shabbos. B’chasdei Hashem the Iron Dome intercepted the attack. A short time after that incident, rockets were fired into the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council. The IAF responded by attacking Hamas targets in Gaza.

The sirens began wailing in Beersheva on Shabbos afternoon as the incoming rocket was detected. The sirens sounded in all parts of the city.

Earlier in the day, six rockets were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. B’chasdei Hashem there were no reports of fatalities or injuries.

In other attacks in the Eshkol Regional Council, mortar shells and rockets were fired. One IDF soldier sustained light injuries from shrapnel. He was transported to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva.

During the night (Friday-Shabbos), rockets and mortar shells were fired as well, towards Sderot and the Eshkol Regional. They landed in open areas.

According to a Channel 1 News report, a Hamas spokesman announced on motzei Shabbos that a ceasefire is expected to take effect “soon”, the result of Egyptian mediation.

A rocket timeline:

Shabbos:

20:17: Rockets fired into the Eshkol Council

19:53: Rockets fired into the Ashkelon Coast Council

19:51: Rockets fired at S’dot HaNegev

19:16: Rockets fired at Beersheva and surrounding communities

18:30: Rockets fired at Ofakim and the surrounding area

14:59: Rockets fired at the Ashkelon Coast Council

14:55: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

14:24: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

14:20: Rockets fired at Ofakim and the surrounding area

08:36: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

03:06: Rockets fire at Shar HaNegev Council

01:17: Rockets fired at Sderot and S’dot Negev Council

Friday:

23:05: Rockets fired at Sderot and S’dot Negev

22:41: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

21:53: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

21:49: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

21:33: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

17:21: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

16:11: Rockets fired at Netivot

16:03: Rockets fired towards Ofakim

15:49: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

11:59: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Council

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)