(CBN News) – Air raid sirens sounded in cities and towns across southern Israel Monday afternoon and continued into the evening as Hamas terrorists fired more than 200 rockets, mortar shells and missiles, 100 of them in less than an hour. Hamas announced “the beginning of bombardment of the enemy’s settlements” in response to Sunday’s confrontation in southern Gaza that killed an Israeli Special Forces officer and seriously injured another.
Seven Hamas terrorists were killed in the operation. Color Red air raid sirens sounded in Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Beersheva and the Dead Sea. IDF Home Front Command ordered residents to stay close to safe rooms and bomb shelters Monday evening as the bombardment continued and canceled public gatherings. Paramedics treated residents injured by shrapnel and others for shock. At least 16 Israelis have been injured, one critically. READ MORE