Hundreds of thousands of Israelis in communities along Israel’s Gaza border, its southern Mediterranean coast, in the central region and in the heart of the nation’s capital, Jerusalem, raced for their bomb shelters at midday Monday as multiple massive barrages of rockets were aimed at the Jewish State from Gaza.
The death toll from the war forced on Israel by Hamas reached 800 and 2,400 Israelis were wounded by midday Monday, according to Israel’s KAN News public broadcaster.
“We saw multiple impacts across this heavily populated area,” Yingst said, while reporting from the southern Israeli city of Ashdod. “We took cover next to a building, but you could see the rockets coming off the Gaza Strip and slamming into buildings in this community.”
Anti-rocket sirens followed by the sound of blasts were heard Monday in Jerusalem, AFP journalists said, as Israel’s army battled Hamas terrorists in southern towns for the third consecutive day.
The Israel Defense Forces also said in a tweet that “Sirens [are] sounding in Jerusalem and across Israel.”
Numerous rocket barrages were directed around noon at the Ashkelon coastal area and the city itself, in addition to Ashdod, Rishon Lezion, Palmachim and other coastal areas.
Following the barrages, members of United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit treated a number of people for emotional shock. UH medical volunteers also treated a number of people who sustained injuries in the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon as a result of direct rocket strikes.
In the Ashdod area, MDA EMTs and paramedics treated and evacuated a 50-year-old woman in serious condition to Assuta Hospital in Ashdod. The MDA medics also treated four people injured by shrapnel in the Ashkelon area, and transported them to Barzilai Hospital. The injured include a man, approximately 75 years old, in serious condition; two men, approximately 55 and 30 years old, in moderate condition; and one individual in mild condition.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday at midday that he has ordered Israeli forces to entirely seal off Gaza.
Gallant made the remarks ahead of an operational situation assessment in the IDF’s Southern Command together with the Head of the Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman.
“Gaza will be under complete closure. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly,” Gallant said. “There will be no electricity, food or fuel [delivered to Gaza]. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly.”
Following the rocket barrage towards the Jerusalem region, seven people were injured at the scene of three direct hits in several towns in the periphery of Jerusalem.
In a town south of Jerusalem, four people were injured. United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Yechiel Gurfein who was one of the first responders at the scene said: “Together with other responders, I treated two women and two children who suffered injuries from shrapnel as a result of the rocket strike. Additional people were treated at the scene for emotional shock.”
One person was injured in a town to the west of Jerusalem that suffered a direct hit. Dr. Tal Amiad and EMT Yoseph Chaim Gabbai who were among the first responders at the scene said: “The injured person was lying inside the building. We provided him with emergency medical treatment to stabilize him, after which he was transported to the hospital in moderate to serious condition.”
In a town to the northwest of Jerusalem, two people were lightly injured by shrapnel. Volunteer EMT Boaz Armona said: “I arrived first at the scene and saw significant destruction, together with additional first responders I provided medical assistance to two people (a couple) who were lightly injured and were then transported to the hospital for further treatment.”
Israel Defense Forces killed Lebanese terrorists who attempted to cross Israel’s northern border and infiltrate into the Jewish State, the IDF announced Monday afternoon.
Israeli residents in the north were immediately told to enter their homes and lock their doors and windows when the infiltrators were spotted.
Gunfire and explosions were heard along the border, local residents said.
In addition, two launches of mortar shells from Lebanon towards Israeli territory were detected, the IDF said. One of the launches landed in Lebanese territory. No casualties were reported.
“IDF troops continue to scan the area,” a military spokesperson said. Helicopters gunships were deployed to attack the area from which the infiltrators came, the IDF added.
Residents of Kiryat Shmona have since been ordered to enter their bomb shelters and remain there till further notice due to fears of rocket attacks.
The city told its residents the municipality is “in constant contact” with defense officials.
Similar instructions were issued to smaller communities in the area by the IDF Home Front Command.
Death toll now 900