At least 7 injured, including 2 infants, in Gaza rocket attack on central Israel

One projectile directly hits house in the Sharon region, leveling it and starting fire; army investigating who’s behind the launch

By Judah Ari Gross. TOI

A home in the central Israeli town of Mishmeret, which was destroyed in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on March 25, 2019. (courtesy)
A home in the central Israeli town of Mishmeret, which was destroyed in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on March 25, 2019. (courtesy)

A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck a home in central Israel early Monday morning, injuring at least seven people, including two infants, and leveling the structure, officials said.

The attack triggered air raid sirens at approximately 5:20 a.m. throughout the Sharon and Emek Hefer regions north of Tel Aviv, the army said.

According to the military, the rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip, where last week two rockets were also fired at Tel Aviv, in what was described at the time as an apparent “mistake” by the Hamas terror group.

The Iron Dome missile defense system did not appear to have been activated by the rocket attack. The military said it was still investigating the matter.

Police said the projectile early Monday struck a home in the community of Mishmeret, on the Sharon plain, causing it to catch fire. The shrapnel from the rocket attack also caused significant damage to the surrounding area.

Firefighters and search-and-rescue workers arrived at the scene to extinguish the blaze and look for any survivors who might be trapped in the destroyed building, the fire department said.

This attack on Mishmeret, located over 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Gaza Strip, was the farthest reaching rocket attacks from the enclave since the 2014 Gaza war, during which projectiles reached as far north as the city of Haifa.

The Israeli military said it was investigating the source of the rocket attack.

There were no immediate reports of an Israeli retaliation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in the United States for the AIPAC conference, was informed of the attack and planned to discuss the matter with the IDF chief of staff, national security adviser and other senior defense officials.

Smoke rising from the scene of a rocket strike in central Israel on March 25, 2019. (courtesy)

According to the Magen David Adom ambulance service, at least seven people who lived in the building were injured in the attack.A 59-year-old woman was moderately injured in the attack, with light burns, shrapnel wounds and trauma from the blast. A 30-year-old woman was also moderately wounded, with shrapnel hitting her leg. The other people in the building — a 30-year-old man, 12-year-old girl, 3-year-old boy and 18-month-old baby — sustained light wounds, MDA said.

They were taken to Kfar Saba’s Meir Medical Center for treatment.

Several others in the area were also treated for anxiety attacks and light injuries from falling while running to bomb shelters.

March 25, 2019 | 2 Comments »

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  1. This will sink Bibi’s reelection chances, since it proves that his policy of bribing Hamas for “calm” has failed. Gantz has made great capital out of this, accusing Bibi of appeasing Hamas and creating the {false) impression that he will take vigorous action against Hamas when elected. That Bibi was caught outside the country when the attack occurred will make him look even worse.

  2. Hohum another mass bombing of already bombed buildings. Another white flag from the cowardly high court. More moola from nutunyahoo as he pleads.
    The sodomites should be told be by the sea shur so as the u n can pick you up and take you to euroland.
    Dream on foolish JEW