A Qassam rocket exploded near a kindergarten in a kibbutz within the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council on Tuesday morning just as dozens of parents were bringing their children to school.

A 14-year-old girl was lightly injured by shrapnel and glass fragments. She was evacuated to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Several people suffered from shock, including a young boy and a gas-truck driver.

The Qassam exploded at around 8 am on, just seconds after the ‘code red’ siren was sounded. Residents rushed to take cover. The injured 14-year-old was in her home, not far from the kindergarten, and was preparing to leave for school.

A defense establishment official said Tuesday morning that the recent escalation in the south was not random. “The terror organizations are trying to test the Israeli response to increased rocket fire.”

The Israel Defense Forces bombed seven targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday night in a bid to convey a firm message that Israel will not ignore the mortar and rocket fire. It was one of the most extensive attacks carried out by the Air Force since the end of Operation Cast Lead about two years ago.

Army officials are aware of the fact that the terror organizations act gradually – starting with mortar shells fired at communities near the border fence and moving on to rockets fired at populated areas in Sderot and Ashkelon.

(Source: Ynet)