On Friday, YWN reported [HERE] that a rocket attack from northern Gaza resulted in significant damage to the Ashkelon Cemetery.

YWN has since learned the damage to the cemetery was extensive, impacting hundreds of tombstones and graves. Close to 300 graves were damaged, with officials reporting damage to 10 was “total”.

The rocket landed sometime Thursday night, without activating the Red Alert warning system.

When the news of damage to the cemetery spread in the city, residents made their way to the graves of their loved ones to see the damage, with some describing the scene and “difficult, unbelievable,” and “horrific”.

Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahtzri stated “as a result of the policies of the government, and its helplessness in response to increasing attacks, even the dead cannot rest in peace. If the government and those standing at the helm are incapable of providing security to southern residents, it would be best for them to step down and go home.”

Government assessors estimate the damage at about NIS 1 million.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)