A Grad missile fired from Gaza exploded in the car park of a residential neighborhood in the city of Ashkelon causing damage but no injuries. An Israeli government sources said the timing is not coincidental as it comes less than a day after the Arab League endorsed direct talks with Israel.
Shortly before 9am, the early warning system alerted residents to an incoming attack. Minutes after, the missile exploded in the heart of Ashkelon in a densely populated residential neighborhood, Ashkelon Mayor Benny Vakhnin said.
The rocket exploded near a high rise apartment building damaging two floors, shattering windows and damaging cars. Eight residents were treated for shock he said.
Vakhnin said he hoped the government would find a fitting response to the grave incident. “For some time now things have been quiet, for this to happen on a Friday morning…it is extremely serious. I hope the government will respond accordingly,” he told reporters.
An Israeli government official told Israel Radio the timing of the attack was not coincidental as it comes less than a day after the Arab League endorsed direct talks with Israel. The official added the attack also emphasizes the need to maintain a blockade on Gaza to prevent the entry of weapons.
Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad oppose the Arab League decisiont hat empowers Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to embark on direct negotiations with Israel.
IDF officials believe Hamas was not responsible for the missile fired from an open area near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.
A second explosion was heard in the Eshkol Regional Council on Friday afternoon. It was unclear whether a rocket or a mortar shell had hit the area.
Since the end of Operation Cast Lead last year, a total of four Grad missile have been fired at southern Israel, three exploding in the Ashkelon vicinity and a fourth in the Gan Yavne regional council jurisdiction.
Just over a week ago, after Israel completed the final tests of the Iron Dome anti-missile system that is set to be deployed by November, Vakhnin said he welcomed the system’s deployment.
Ashkelon was bombarded by rockets and Grad missiles during Operation Cast Lead.
In May 2008, Iranian Grad missiles fell on an Ashkelon mall, trapping people under rubble, and injuring scores. The missiles penetrated the roof of the mall and the top two floors. |
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