At least 15 rockets explode in southern Israel as tensions escalate

According to military assessments, Hamas has not been behind recent rocket attacks, but rather, smaller terrorist groups in the Strip.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, YONAH JEREMY BOB
Damage to a home in the western Negev as a result of rockets from Gaza. (photo credit: Courtesy)
Damage to a home in the western Negev as a result of rockets from Gaza.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
At least fourteen rockets exploded in an open area in Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel following a series of Code Red rocket alert sirens throughout Monday morning, the IDF said.
A home was lightly damaged from shrapnel caused by one of the rockets, police said.
Earlier, on Monday morning, two rockets exploded in the south in open areas.
The rocket attacks from Gaza followed an air force strike that killed a terrorist preparing to fire projectiles into southern Israel on Sunday evening.
The IDF is checking to see whether the terrorist killed belonged to Hamas, a senior security source said Monday morning. Hamas has announced that the casualty was a member of its military wing.
"We know unequivocally that the terrorist killed in the strike was preparing to fire rockets," the source added.
The security source noted that a Givati infantry unit operating along the Gaza border came under fire on Sunday as well.
Hamas has not been behind recent rocket attacks on southern Israel, but rather, smaller terrorist groups in the Strip, according to military assessments. "[But] we are more interested in who is responsible [for Gaza]," he added.
"We are weighing our steps and managing a responsible policy regarding all aspects linked to Gaza," the source said. "We understand that this rocket fire is becoming daily. Our responses are in accordance to that. The policy of the Southern Command is one of escalating responses, both in scope and the quality of targets," he added.
The IDF is aware of the fact that Hamas has a problem in restraining smaller Gazan terror groups from firing rockets, the source stated, "but we also understand that the motives are less interesting [to Israel], and the results are what count," he added. "Our aim is to stop this rocket fire."