IDF Homefront Command officials on Wednesday night announced they have completed the necessary work and the municipalities of Ashdod and Ofakim have been connected to the Gaza rocket early warning system. This marks the inclusion of areas 30km (18 miles) from Gaza, marking a significant escalation in Hamas warfare.

The air raid sirens, the wailing sirens will sound from 30-45 seconds, giving residents significantly more time to run for cover as compared to the Sderot area, where they have 15 seconds. This is due to the increased distance from Gaza.

Israel Police Chief Dudi Cohen ordered additional manpower shifted to the southern area due to the current state of warfare and as was reported on Wednesday, MDA is operating on a state of emergency, with 200 ambulances allocated to the southern region, to communities in rocket range.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)