Palestinians fire rockets at South; 7 civilians hurt

Gaza terrorists launch 2 Grad rockets into Netivot, Beersheba; 3 civilians suffer light injuries, 4 treated for shock.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netivot home damaged by Gazan Grad rocket 370 (photo credit: Courtesy IDF)
Netivot home damaged by Gazan Grad rocket 370
(photo credit: Courtesy IDF)
Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip fired two Grad rockets into Israel overnight Saturday, damaging two buildings in Netivot and lightly injuring seven civilians. The attacks came just days after an escalation along Israel's southern border which resulted in the killing of six Palestinians the IDF said were plotting terrorist attacks against Israelis.
Around 2:00 a.m., terrorists fired a Grad rocket at Beersheba. Residents in the city heard an explosion, but there were no reports of damage, and authorities scoured the city for the rocket's remains. The Iron Dome battery stationed near the city did not launch an intercept as the Grad fell in an open area and did not endanger the civilian population. 
Municipal authorities in Beersheba and Ashdod announced that classes would be canceled on Sunday as a result of the attack.
Shortly after, terrorists fired a rocket at the city of Netivot. The rocket struck two homes, which sustained heavy damage. Upon hearing the emergency siren indicating an incoming rocket, a resident in one of the houses took refuge in the bathroom, escaping the blast.
"I heard a siren, so I got up and went to the entrance of the house, where it's relatively well protected," Army Radio quoted Pini Azulai as saying." I decided to step inside the bathroom, where it's also quite fortified. And just when I walked in, there was an explosion."
Seven civilians were injured in the Sunday attacks; three were lightly hurt while running to bomb shelters after hearing emergency sirens, while four suffered shock.
On Wednesday night, IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad in the central Gaza Strip during final preparations to fire rockets at Israel. Palestinian sources said at least three men were killed in the air strike, and one wounded. The cell had been involved in rocket fire on southern Israel in the past, according to the IDF.
On Thursday morning, the IDF attacked a terrorist cell attempting to place a bomb on the Gaza border. Infantrymen from the Givati Brigade along with tanks and aircraft successfully struck the cell. Palestinian sources said that three people were killed by IDF fire in the incident.
Towards the end of August, Palestinians fired several rockets at Israel, one of which struck and damaged a home in Sderot.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Friday that the IDF could conquer and exert control over the Gaza Strip if the cabinet orders such an operation. Speaking at a conference at the Fisher Brothers Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, Barak said “if the cabinet will want the IDF to conquer and control Gaza, this is something that is possible today if it is deemed fit."