Itongadol.- Barrage of Gaza rockets fired at southern Israel as IDF prepares for escalation; Iron Dome intercepts 12 projectiles; sirens sound in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beit Shemesh and Rehovot.
The Israel Defense Forces announced after midnight Monday that it has launched a major operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The operation has been given the code name "Operation Protective Edge."
IAF fighter planes and aircraft are currently flying sorties over Gaza seeking terror targets, Israel Radio reported.
#IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge in #Gaza against #Hamas, in order to stop the terror #Israel\’s citizens face on a daily basis
Heavy rocket barrages slammed into southern Israel on Monday evening, triggering air raid sirens across wide areas, including the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, Sderot, Rehovot and Beit Shemesh.
Seven long-range Palestinians rockets were intercepted over Ashdod, and five over Netivot.
Some 30 rockets were fired from Gaza in the Monday night barrage. A total of 80 rockets slammed into southern Israel throughout the day and evening.
The attacks came shortly after a senior military source said the IDF is taking “significant steps” to prepare itself for a stepped up campaign of attacks against Hamas in Gaza.