Itongadol.- A number of rockets were fired at the Jerusalem area on Thursday evening with reports of two of the projectiles being shot down by the Iron Dome. Two other rockets fell in open areas.
No injuries or damage were initially reported in the attacks.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon Code Red sirens sounded in several communities throughout Israel as Israel\’s anti-rocket system successfully intercepted a barrage of Hamas-fired projectiles over the Shfela region. Audible explosions were also heard in the Tel Aviv area , although no Code Red siren proceeded the explosions.
Sirens sounded in areas of central Israel surrounding Tel Aviv, such as Lod, Ramle, and the Shfela, which absorbed a heavy barrage.
The Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted 8 projectiles over the skies of the Shfela region, including greater Rehovot. Remnants of the rockets were spotted near the city as well just minutes after sirens were heard in the Bilu District, Beit Hanan, Yavne, and Nes Ziona.
Siren were also sounded in southern cities Ashdod and Ashkelon and the smaller communities adjacent to the Gaza frontier. A house in the Sha\’ar Hanegev Regional Council was struck, sustaining damage.
Since early Thursday morning, Palestinians have launched some 80 rockets at southern and central Israel.
Hamas is claiming that ten of those rockets included a new type of projectile that it maintained in its arsenal and used for the first time ever – the Iranian-manufactured "Sejil-55."
Earlier on Thursday, the Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted at least five projectiles over the metropolitan Tel Aviv area and two others landed in open areas nearby on Thursday, as Code Red rocket alert sirens also sounded in the southern city of Dimona, home of Israel\’s nuclear reactor, for the second straight day.
The sirens, interceptions, and rising Palestinian death toll from IDF strikes in Gaza marked the third day of Operation Protective Edge.
The attack on the Negev also set off Code Red sirens in nearby Mitzpe Rimon and Yeruham. Three rockets landed in open areas of Sde Boker.
Hamas took credit for the previous days rocket fire on Dimona, saying that it was attempting to hit the nuclear reactor. In Wednesday\’s attack, one rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome and two fell in open territory.
The attack on Dimona came after five Palestinian rockets fired by Hamas were intercepted over Tel Aviv on Thursday morning.
Rocket sirens in Tel Aviv which were activated around 8 a.m. on Thursday were immediately followed by a series of audible explosions, most likely the Iron Dome interception system which picked off the rockets as they were heading toward the area.
Remains of one of the rockets landed near a gas station in the greater Tel Aviv area.
The Iron Dome has shot down more than 70 rockets since Operation Protective Edge began, limiting injuries among Israelis.
Hamas took credit for the rocket fire on Tel Aviv, saying they had employed M-75 type rockets.
After a four hour lull in rocket fire overnight, Israel\’s southern communities again came under fire just after 6 a.m. Thursday. Areas such as the Sha\’ar Hanegev Regional council, Netivot and the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council were all targeted. No injuries were reported in the attacks.
More than 320 rockets have been fired since Operation Protective Edge began early on Tuesday morning.