Truce, but, sirens sound in southern Israel

 

Of the 13 projectiles fired from Gaza after 9 pm Wednesday, 10 failed to reach Israel, exploding in Palestinian territories instead.


By Neri Brenner

 

Air raid sirens sounded shortly after 10 am on Thursday in the Eshkol Regional Council after a rocket appeared to have been fired towards the region from Gaza. Witnesses said that they saw the rocket exploding in a Palestinian territory. Security services said it was a false alarm.

The incident followed a relatively quiet night in Israel‘s south. The final Color Red alert sounded in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council at 22:58, two hours after the ceasefire between Israel and the factions in Gaza went into effect.

The IDF said that of the 13 projectiles that were fired from Gaza after 9 pm on Wednesday, ten failed to reach Israel, exploding in Palestinian territories instead. The army said Hamas and the Islamic Jihad intended to hold fire and to enforce the truce among the smaller factions across the Strip.

Schools in the south remained closed on Thursday as residents expressed hope the lull will be a long-lasting one.

The authorities in Gaza branded November 22 as a national holiday meant to celebrate the Palestinian groups’ “victory.” Residents were asked to visit those who were wounded and families of prisoners, and to underscore national unity.

Sources in the IDF said Thursday that Hamas operatives used the morning to come out of their hiding places and begin to estimate the damage that was caused during the operation. Despite the destruction, the army said that the celebrations in Gaza will persist. The IDF’s central and south commands braced for “a day of rage” in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank on Friday, particularly after the day’s prayers.

 

 

Yoav Zitun contributed to the report.

 

To continue reading, go to:
View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4310477,00.html