Nine rocket launches from Gaza were detected during the night and predawn hours Thursday, 14 Menachem Av, after attacks from Gaza escalated on Wednesday evening. An IDF officer sustained moderate injuries from Gaza sniper fire, leading to additional Israel Air Force retaliatory strikes against terrorist targets in Gaza.

The IDF Spokesman Unit reports a rocket headed to the Eshkol Regional Council was intercepted by the Iron Dome while others landed in open areas. B’chasdei Hashem there were no fatalities or injuries in the rocket attacks. The air force continues retaliatory strikes over Gaza.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on the phone, as well as with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott and the heads of the Shin Bet and National Security Council in light of the escalation in events along the Gaza and Syrian borders.

A tense quiet prevails this morning as residents of Gaza border communities attempt to go about life as usual, amid the awareness they must be prepared to literally run for their lives at any given moment.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)