21:40: Five rockets were intercepted by the Iron dome in the last round of warfare B”H.

 21:37: PM Netanyahu tells the mayors of Ashdod, Rishon L’Tzion and Ashkelon “We will use as much force as its takes to restore quiet”.

21:35: Sirens once again in Ashdod, Bnei Darom, Nitzan, Nitzanim, Gan HaDrom, Bnei Ayish and more.

21:33: IDF: We were targeting a terrorist objective. If we struck children it is tragic.

21:23: At least two rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome over Kiryat Malachi.

21:15: Beginning Thurdsay AM Israel has agreed to a UN humanitarian ceasefire of six hours. Hamas is yet to respond.

• Sirens in Lachish and Shar HaNegev Districts including Kiryat Malachi, Yogev, Be’er Tuvia, Yinon, Kfar Achim Zevulun and more

21:13: IDF Spokesman: So far today, 74 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel; an additional 29 were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

21:00: Sirens sounding in Nachal Ohz and Alumim.

• The UN has turned to IDF Coordinator of Activities in the Territories Major-General Yoav Mordechai seeking a six hour humanitarian ceasefire. The UN has also made the same request of Hamas.

20:47: IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Moti Almoz: We use rockets to protect our citizens while they use citizens to protect their rockets.

 20:23: One of the rockets exploded in Ashdod, not intercepted by the Iron Dome. It appears a fire has resulted. MDA is treating a number of people for hysteria.

20:18: Three-four rockets to Ashdod and Ashkelon. B”H the Iron Dome appears to have intercepted at least two of them.

20:16: Sirens in Ashkelon, Ashdod, Eshkol and other southern areas.

20:07: The IDF is investigating the reported deaths of four small children in Gaza. Gaza reports they were killed by navy shelling. There has not been any official statement from the IDF spokesman at this time as the difficult photos circulate worldwide.

20:05: IDF Military official: If the political echelon decides to seize Gaza – we will do so.

19:48: Cabinet approves calling up additional 8,000 reservists for Operation Protective Edge

19:42: Paris bans pro-Palestinian protest amid tensions.

18:51: Six rockets fired towards Ashkelon. One was intercepted and the others landed in open areas.

18:38: Sirens in Eshkol Council, Ashkelon Council and surrounding areas.

18:32: Sirens in Eshkol Council, Ashkelon Council and surrounding areas.

18:24: Sirens in Eshkol Council a short time ago. No injuries being reported.

18:09: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Regional Council once again.

18:08: Gaza reports four children killed in Israel Navy shelling into Gaza City.

17:36: In a phone poll of the cabinet, approval was given to add 8,000 reservists to the 42,000 already called to service. In Operation Pillar of Defense a total of 70,000 were activated.

17:24: Some rockets intercepted while others land in open areas in Sderot, Netivot and Eshkol regions. B’chasdei Hashem no fatalities or injuries being reported.

17:20: Sirens sounding in Kibbutz Be’eri.

17:14: Sirens in Netivot, S’dot Negev, Eshkol Region and surrounding areas.

16:54: IAF strike in Gaza City kills one and leaves another in critical condition. Gaza reports over 200 dead since start of operation.

16:45: Channel 2 News reports that only several hundred of the 100,000 residents of northern Gaza areas instructed to leave by the IDF have done so. The IAF is shooting near the homes in the hope of scaring residents into fleeing the area, which appears will be carpet bombed.

16:44: Police arrest 3 Arab suspects from the eastern capital after publishing a film on Facebook showing the location as rockets land in Ashdod

16:42: Speaking from damaged home in Ashkelon, Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich says “I am not concerned. If we need to bring ground forces into Gaza we will do so”.

16:37: PM Netanyahu addresses the nation from a safe room in the Knesset to avoid having to interrupt his statement in the event of a siren.

Mr. Netanyahu is televised aside visiting Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini. He begins explaining how the cabinet accepted the Egyptian ceasefire initiative which has been rejected by Hamas and therefore the latter is solely responsible for the warfare and loss of life. The prime minister calls on the international community to come out strongly and firmly in its condemnation of Hamas.

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini explains she understands the problem and calls Israel’s acceptance of the Egyptian initiative “courageous and wise”. Italy calls on Hamas to revise its position and accept the ceasefire initiative. Efforts must continue and it must be the highest priority for Cairo.

Italy is very concerned over the civilian casualties in Gaza. She calls for a resumption of talks to address core issues.

PM Netanyahu:
Italy is a beautiful country and unlike Israel, surrounded by water on three sides and I am certain you would not tolerate rocket fire into Milano… I thank you… At this time a political solution with Hamas is not realistic. Hamas has closed the door on a diplomatic solution by rejecting a ceasefire. Hamas must be dismantled and the weaponry must be destroyed. Gaza must be demilitarized…

16:34: PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has arrived in Cairo to speak about ceasefire initiative.

16:29:Rocket hit packaging factory in the Eshkol Council resulting in significant damage. No inj. 2 rockets exploded in open area in S’dot Negev

16:24:  Hamas spokesman announces Egypt has officially been notified that it rejects the ceasefire initiative Nana News reports.

16:18: Heavy barrage to Ashkelon and area, Negev district, Eshkol district, Merchavim, and surrounding areas

16:15: Channel 2 News reports Quartet envoy Tony Blair playing a vital role as go-between with el-Sisi in Egypt and PM Netanyahu trying to advance ceasefire.

16:07: Four mortar shells explode in the Eshkol Region. B’chasdei Hashem without fatalities or injuries.

16:04: Terrorists offer a 10-year ceasefire. Some of the points include:

• Opening of all border crossings
• The release of terrorists released in Shalit deal and rearrested
• The establishment of an international airport in Gaza
• UN supervision of the Rafiach Crossing to Egypt which is to remain open
• No IAF activity over Gaza
• Lifting of marine blockade on Gaza
• Expanding Gaza fishing zone

15:59: Sirens in the Eshkol Council at this time.

15:55: Sirens in Kibbutz Be’eri again.

15:40: One rocket in the Eshkol region resulted in a blaze. A number of others landed in open areas.

15:38: Sirens in Kibbutz Be’eri.

15:32: Anat Sussia, whose parents home was damaged in the attack in Ashkelon explained to the media the foreign minister of Norway appeared as if he did not know what to do while for them it has become routine. The foreign minister ran into their safe room, the closest place available when the sirens sounded.

Sussia added that from now on, the sirens will bring additional stress as now she realizes there can be damage or worse chas v’sholom.

15:29: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was in Ashkelon for the last attack accompanied by FM of Norway and his delegation and many journalists. The sirens caught them outside. They ran to the nearest shelter but there was no enough room for all. Lieberman remained outdoors while his guest entered the safety of the shelter. Lieberman explained that now his guest and the delegation understand life for southern Israeli residents.

5 Rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome B”H.  There was significant damage in the area.

15:28: Sirens once again in Kibbutz Nirim, Kibbutz Kerem Shalom and Kibbutz Ein HaShloshah.

15:25: Sirens once again in Yad Mordechai.

15:18: Sirens in Ashkelon Council, Eshkol Council and surrounding areas. Second round of sirens as we report.

15:01: IDF Spokesman: Hamas has fired 61 rockets today. 37 of them hit Israel; 23 were intercepted by Iron Dome.

14:51: Sirens in the S’dot and Shar HaNegev Councils. Heavy barrage of rocket fire.

14:50: Two rockets exploded in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council.

14:24: In the last round of rocket fire to Ashkelon, one rocket landed near a home, causing damage. At least one resident is being treated for hysteria.

14:04: At least four rockets fired towards Ashkelon, of which at least two were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

• No injuries in the attacks earlier towards Dimona, Arad and Yerucham.

14:02: Sirens in the Eshkol Council, Ashkelon and surrounding areas.

13:41: Arab Member of Knesset Dr. Basel Ghattas during an address to the Knesset plenum asked for a minute of silence for the Palestinian victims of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Arab MKs present during the session abided and stood.

13:38: Sirens sounding in Dimona, Arad and Yerucham.

13:38: The IDF Homefront Command’s information hotline received 216,000 calls since Tuesday night.

13:37: S’dei Dov Airport in Gush Dan will resume regular operations beginning Thursday, 19 Tammuz. Airport flights were diverted to Ben-Gurion International Airport because of Operation Protective Edge.

13:33: In the last wave of rocket fire, one rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome over Kiryat Gat. There are no reports of injuries or damage in the Ashdod or Ashkelon areas in the last attack.

13:31: The IDF Spokesman reports Hamas fired 10 rockets at Beersheva a short time ago. The Iron Dome intercepted six of them and the remaining four fell in open areas.

13:27: In the Merchavim Regional Council, the primary source of income is from farming. Council officials explain that many of the Thai laborers who were working the fields are not working. Council head Shai Chajiji told Channel 10 News that the owners are in urgent need of a cash infusion from government agencies to permit them to pay workers. The laborers have stopped coming to work because they are not getting paid. This is compounding the loss from damage from rocket attacks as many crops are spoiling in the fields because of the lack of laborers to harvest the crops.

13:24: Health Minister Yael German explains centers are being established in cities hit hard by rocket fire to address the growing number of patients requiring assistance for hysteria and varying degrees of psychological trauma from the rocket fire. Each municipality is publishing the number in their city.

• Sirens are now sounding in Ashdod, Ashkelon and the surrounding areas, Eshkol Regional Council and Kiryat Gat.

13:18: Hearing impaired citizens may contact the Homefront Command by SMS text messaging at 052-941-5520/1.

13:17: Two rockets exploded in an open area in the S’dot Negev Council.

13:15: FM Avigdor Lieberman is now speaking to the media from Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon accompanied by the foreign minister of Norway and his delegation, deciding to visit in a showing of support at this time.

13:04: No injuries reported in another round of rocket fire in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council.

12:49: Sirens sounded a short time ago in the S’dot Negev Council.

• Gaza reports IAF attacked a home in Dir el-Balach killing two people and critically wounding a third.

12:41: Ten rockets were fired towards the Ofakim area of which eight were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

12:39: Most IDF reservists are not at the Gaza border but rather replacing compulsory service soldiers in Yehuda, Shomron and along the northern border

12:39: A rocket fell in a yishuv in the Shar HaNegev region. B’chasdei Hashem, no fatalities or injuries.

12:37: Gaza reports 5 dead in IAF attack in Khan Yunis.

12:35: Due to technical programs, all of the public shelters in Moshav Talmei-Yafeh, which is about 10km (6 miles) from the Gaza border, remain closed, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reports.

12:32: Sirens a short time ago in Eilat were a false alarm.

12:16: Sirens sounding in Yifrach in the Negev district along with Beersheba, Ofakim, Ramat Chovav and the surrounding areas.

12:06: PA sources reporting the IAF attacked a vehicle in Khan Yunis. There are three fatalities and ten wounded.

11:56: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Regional Council.

• One soldier was lightly wounded from shrapnel in a mortar shell attack in the Eshkol region.
• Another mortar struck a parking lot, causing damage to at least seven vehicles.
• There are reports of significant property damage in the Gush Dan region from the earlier rocket attack.

10:53: Another rocket exploded in the Eshkol region. Once again, B’chasdei Hashem there are no reports of fatalities or injuries.

10:51: Sirens in Yad Mordechai. Sirens in Eshkol region minutes ago.

10:28: Magen David Adom reports treating nine people for “light injuries” as a result to rocket attacks to Tel Aviv and the Gush Dan region.

IDF Spokesman on Wednesday morning, before the day’s rocket fire began:

• Since the start of Operation Protective Edge, over 1,236 rockets have been fired towards Israel.
• Of them, 966 hit Israel
• 218 have been intercepted by the Iron Dome.
• The IDF has targeted over 1,680 terror targets, with both naval and aerial capabilities.

10:15: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Regional council.

10:13: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Regional council.

10:06: Rockets fired at the Eshkol Regional Council exploded in a open area a short time ago.

09:30: Four rockets were intercepted over Gush Dan.

09:21: Sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, Gush Dan and the Sharon Region.

09:20: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Regional Council.

08:35: The IAF is attacking Gaza again.

08:20: A rocket was intercepted over Kiryat Malachi by the Iron dome earlier.

08:08: Israel has instructed northern Gaza residents to leave their homes and the area. Hamas is working to compel the residents not to flee.

08:02: Sirens sounding in Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, the Yoav Council, Sapir, and the Be’er Tuvia Regional Council.

07:55: The Iron dome intercepted six rockets over Ashkelon.

07:50 Two rockets exploded in open areas in Ashkelon.

07:41: Sirens sounding in Ashkelon and the Ashkelon Coast Council.

07:30: Four rockets exploded in open areas.

07:25: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Region.

06:43: The IDF attacked 39 terrorist sites in Gaza during the night.

05:39: The USA will allocate $351 million to Israel for continued development of the Iron Dome.

04:41: Sirens sounding in the Eshkol Region

04:43: Ma’an news agency is reporting that several homes belonging to senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists were destroyed in airstrikes overnight. They include the homes of Islamic Jihad leader Abdullah al-Harazin, former Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hamad, Hamas lawmaker Ismail al-Ashqar, and senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar.

04:09: Israel took over the Al-Aqsa TV broadcast on Tuesday and aired slogans against Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades. “Who does not how to climb mountains will live forever between holes (tunnels),” it said. They broadcasted a picture of the Israeli flag. They also showed how Israeli forces were monitoring the resistance’s missiles and how Israel hit their missile launchers.

02:11: The IDF has reportedly left voice messages for residents in the eastern Shuja’iyya neighborhood in Gaza City telling them to, “evacuate for the sake of your safety by 8am.”

00:13: It has been cleared for publication that the Israeli man who was killed Tuesday from a Gaza rocket was 38-year-old Dror Hanin HY”D. He is a resident of Beit Aryeh.

00:11: Large explosions rock the Gaza Strip as the IAF attacks terror targets to stop the rocket fire. Gaza media outlets reports three people just killed in an air strike at Rafah.

00:10: Red alerts ringing in Ashkelon and surrounding area.

UPDATE: 12:00AM IL: With the clock striking midnight on Tuesday evening / Wednesday morning, Israel has now entered “Day 9 of Operation Protective Edge”. Stay with YWN as we continue our non-stop 24 hour news coverage – updated just seconds after an event occurs.

CLICK HERE FOR THE YWN LIVE BLOG FROM DAY 8 OF OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE

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