Barzilai Hospital spokeswoman Leah Malul reports two people are being treated for light shrapnel injuries, a male and a female. Four people are being treated for hysteria following the last attack, including a small girl.

Sirens are sounding now in Beersheva, Ofakim and Gadera. It is important to understand that when rockets are fired, they cross ‘detection zones’ of early-warning systems, but in actuality, rockets may not impact in the city where the siren sound. There are no reports of impact locations or injuries at this time.

IDF artillery fire, combat helicopters and fighter jets are operating to pound terrorists in Gaza as efforts to halt attacks continue. The heavy rains today accompanied and fog is making the job increasingly difficult as detecting launches is compromised by limited visibility.

Gadera Mayor Yoel Gamliel confirms sirens did sound in his city earlier but the cause was a test of the system near the city, not inside Yavne. The mayor reports that on Thursday at noon, Yavne will conduct a test of the city’s alert system as well.

Back to Beersheva, one rocket did cause significant damage in a classroom on Wednesday morning, a 9th grade classroom. Baruch Hashem the Homefront Command ordered schools closed. A Katyusha rocket slammed through the roof of the building and exploded in the classroom. The school’s principal, Mr. Sternberger, pointed to his yarmulke and smiled, explaining this is what protects him and his school.

Eliran Vaknin, a former student in the school was shocked to see what occurred in his former classroom, seeing the desks that were blown apart and damage to the area. He praised the army’s “bold and correct decision” to order schools closed, which in this case saved lives. Yakir, a student in the school came to see the building after the attack, saying that he would be dead if they had class today. He was then ordered to head back home to remain indoors.

Property damage in the various cities and municipalities hit by rockets has been significant. Baruch Hashem, there are few physical injuries or worse.

It should be remembered that 800,000 citizens are under fire at this time as senior government officials are meeting to decide on a continued course of action.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)