3:01PM IL: Some 20 Kassam rockets and mortar shells have landed in the Greater Sderot Area over the past 30 minutes.

In the last attack, in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, a 59-year-old woman was light-to-moderately wounded by shrapnel to her neck. She is currently being treated by emergency medical service personnel.

On Wednesday, the political-security cabinet decided not to launch a military operation in Gaza just now, preferring to give Egyptian negotiators additional time to broker a ceasefire with Hamas.

UPDATE 15:31 IL: A Magen David Adom ambulance is standing by, waiting a green light to respond to the Erez area of southern Israel to treat an Arab woman who was injured by shrapnel.

Security personnel have prevented the ambulance from moving into the scene as Kassam rockets and mortar shells launched from Gaza continue falling in the area.

UPDATE 15:53 IL: Over the past hour, at least 35 mortar shells and 14 Kassam rockets have hit the Greater Sderot Area. At least one rocket landed in Ashkelon a short time ago, without causing injuries. The city’s early-warning system did not alert residents of the incoming rocket.

A woman in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai was injured by shrapnel in her neck, reported in moderate condition. A second woman was wounded near Erez but ambulances cannot reach her due to ongoing rocket attacks.

UPDATE 16:02 IL: An IDF soldier has reportedly been lightly injured as rockets continue to fall in southern Israel.

IDF tank fire is being directed to open areas in northern Gaza.

UPDATE 17:15 IL: Officials at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon report treating two rocket victims. The first is a woman who sustained shrapnel injuries to her neck and surrounding area. Her condition is upgraded and she is now listed as “light”. The second woman was treated and released.

YWN will bring additional updates when necessary.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)