Breaking News: Israel Under Rocket Attacks From Gaza

by Benson Agoha

Several rockets have been fired at Israel today, in continuation of the attacks that started on Wednesday evening.

A breaking news released by the Israeli Defence Forces said the attacks which start, with four rockets at 9.00am Israeli time continued at 11.00am with several more target at populated areas in Ashdod and Ashkelon.

Israel has been under rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip since Wednesday March 12, when the Israel Defence Forces issued a statement saying terrorists from the Gaza area have fired dozens of rockets at Israel.

The statement from the IDF said more than 60 rockets struck southern Israel, with at least eight landing in urban areas.

The statement said Palestinian Islamic Jihad was behind Wednesday's attacks on Southern Israel but said Hamas was responsible for all attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip.

The first attacks triggered "Code Red" and sirens were sounded in Israeli communities, where children were heading home from school, the statement said.

* IDF personnel inspect containerised arms reportedly made in Iran and destined for Gaza.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepted three of the rockets as the IDF responded, hitting two terror locations in the northern and southern Gaza Strip with artillery fire", adding "A short time later, IDF aircraft struck more than 29 terror sites in Gaza."

The IDF said since the start of 2014, Gaza terrorists have fired more than 100 rockets at Israel and Wednesday’s rocket fire is the largest attack Israel has faced since Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012.

It said the "IDF will do everything in its power to fight Gaza terrorism and protect the people of Israel."

PM David Cameron is currently on a visit to Israel to help the Peace process.

Last week, an Israeli Patrol boat intercepted a vessel carrying a large catche of weapons and armunition, including several short and long range missiles, made in Israel and heading for Gaza.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad denied the arms were for them. The current attacks will seem to contradict that claim.

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* Photo Credit: ToI.