IDF will respond to 'biggest rocket attack on Israel since 2012,' says army source
Evaluation meeting held by senior IDF commanders; Islamic Jihad launched simultaneous rocket barrages from northern and southern Gaza, says army source.
By YAAKOV LAPPINGaza rocket at sunset (photo credit: REUTERS/ Darren Whiteside)
The IDF will respond to the largest rocket attack on Israel since 2012, an army source warned on Wednesday, following heavy rocket barrages from Gaza on the Western Negev.An evaluation meeting was held in the evening by senior IDF commanders, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, the head of the air force, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, Military Intelligence head Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Sami Turgeman.A senior army source said Islamic Jihad launched simultaneous rocket barrages from northern and southern Gaza, calling it the most large-scale rocket attack on Israel since the eight-day conflict with Gazan terror groups in 2012.More than 30 rockets exploded in southern Israel, including eight in built-up areas, the IDF said. An Iron Dome anti-rocket battery intercepted three projectiles over Sderot."This began yesterday, when an Islamic Jihad cell fired on our force that was operating on the security fence with Gaza," the source said.In the coming hours, officials from the Home Front Command and IDF Southern Command will meet with local government representatives in the South to discuss safety instructions. For now, residents of the Gaza-border were advised to remain close to safe zones, the military said.IDf Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, who is in the US, was being briefed on all developments.
