Rocket Bombardment

Today the Hamas fired over 60 rockets at Israel. Since the end of the ceasefire there has been continuous missile, mortar and rocket bombardment from Gaza at civilian targets in Israel. Sirens have sent residents of southern Israel to seek shelter in "secure rooms". For the first time, today rocket-alert sirens were also activated in Kiryat Gat, Ashdod and Kiryat Malachi

In Ashkelon today there were more than 10 rocket-alert sirens during the day and rockets fell all over the city, miraculously only in empty spaces. Netivot, Eshkol and the Sderot area were also heavily bombarded.

Israel has finally had enough and today there was a massive airstrike on Gaza military targets by the Israel airforce. The Hamas was caught by surprise and many military targets were eliminated.

A state of high alert has been declared. It's still the Hanuka holidays but schools will be closed until further notice. It seems clear that the escalation will continue.

From Ynet: The army called on communities located close to the Gaza Strip fence, and also on Sderot residents, to remain indoors. Public gatherings have been disallowed. Other communities located up to 10 kilometers away from the Strip were ordered to remain 15 seconds away from secured rooms. There too, no public gatherings are allowed.

In communities located 10-20 kilometers away from the Strip, including Ashkelon, residents were ordered to remain no more than 30 seconds away from secured rooms. Communities located in the 20-30 kilometer range, including the towns of Ashdod, Ofakim, Kiryat Malachi, and Kiryat Gat must remain 45 seconds away from shelters.

Tomorrow we were expecting a delegation from the UJC, and another city delegation of young attorneys, to visit Ashkelon, but they have cancelled. We who live in the region are trying to carry on with our normal lives and routines, but anyone who doesn't have to be in the area is keeping away for the moment.

Meanwhile we are trying to carry on as usual, going to work, doing what we always do, but always with an eye on the likeliest place to shelter in case of a siren.

Nicole