Posted on 05/12/23
| News Source: Arutz-7
Multiple rockets were launched towards Jerusalem and the surrounding area early Friday afternoon.
After 13 hours of calm in southern Israel, Red Alert sirens sounded late Friday morning in the Gaza periphery, with around 15 rockets launched towards Israel before noon.
The Iron Dome system intercepted four of the rockets, while the remaining rockets exploded in open areas or fell within the Gaza Strip. One rocket struck a greenhouse in southern Israel.
Just after 12:00, warning sirens were sounded in Beit Shemesh, Gush Etzion, other communities in the vicinity of Jerusalem.
One rocket landed in an open area near the town of Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion, while a second rocket was intercepted by the David's Sling missile defense system. A third rocket was downed by the Iron Dome defense system.
The IDF launched a series of retaliatory attacks on Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip, an army spokesperson said. Four Islamic Jihad positions in the Strip were bombed, the IDF reported.
A third volley of rocket fire was reported after the attacks on the Jerusalem area, with one rocket hitting a home in the southern town of Sderot. No injuries were reported, but the house suffered major damage.
A second hit was reported in the town of Nir Am. No injuries were reported, but the house sustained damage.
A senior Israeli official said Friday afternoon that Jerusalem has halted ceasefire talks in the wake of the most recent string of rocket attacks.