It was another Shabbos of rocket attacks for southern Israeli townships and cities, primarily the border communities. Motzei Shabbos began with sirens wailing in the Gush Dan area, in over 21 cities and municipalities. B’chasdei Hashem there were no fatalities over Shabbos. A 4.5-year-old boy R”L was killed by mortar rocket fire in Kibbutz Nachal Ohz hours before Shabbos. The levaya of Daniel Tragerman HY”D will take place on Sunday, 28 Menachem Av 5774.

According to correspondent Kobi Finkler, while little Daniel was generally disciplined and understood the need to run to the safe room when hearing the siren, this time he simply refused to go in. His mother Gila had just placed another child, an infant, inside the room as they were packing to head to family in Kiryat Ono in an effort to escape the rocket fire.

Shabbos was accompanied by rocket fire from Gaza. Sirens sounded in t he Eshkol Regional Council, S’dot Negev and Shar HaNegev Councils, Ashkelon Coast Council, and other areas. Fires broke out from some of the rocket fire as the weather is particularly hot and dry. In one attack in the Shar HaNegev Regional Council a building sustained a direct hit. At 17:30 on Shabbos, the IDF spokesman reported 60 rockets were already fired from Gaza on Shabbos.

In the rocket attacks to Gush Dan, the incoming rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome over Gush Dan.

The IDF continued pounding terrorist targets in Gaza, including the air force, navy and artillery corps. A 14-story building located in Gaza that served as a Hamas headquarters was hit by the air force. It collapsed as a result. Gaza sources report dozens were injured in that attack.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)