Metropolitan Tel Aviv absorbed at least five missiles in the first half of Wednesday, with the Color Red incoming rocket alert siren wailing through the streets.

Loud blasts that followed made it clear the Iron Dome anti-missile system had intercepted all five threats to the general population.

But as a Home Front Command official noted with a measure of exasperation in an interview on Israeli radio Wednesday morning, people in the “White City” simple weren’t relating to the danger and remained on the streets.

Defense officials were out during one attack inspecting facilities, and were amazed and concerned at what they saw on Tuesday.

Amid ongoing rocket fire onto central Israel, people in Tel Aviv watched the World Cup Semi Final games screened at the Sarona center, shortly after Code Red sirens were sounded in the region.

“Some just don’t seem to care, some said they didn’t have shelters in their homes, some said the public shelters were locked and others said there were no shelters at all in their neighborhoods,” the official said.

“This is an impossible situation and one that must stop immediately. It is extremely dangerous.”

Missiles that were intercepted at midday exploded above Tel Aviv itself, and above Ben Gurion International Airport, which is on alert.

Late Tuesday night, Hamas terrorists fired the new Syrian-made M302 missile towards Haifa – but it only reached as far as Hadera, 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Gaza. The missile, which weighs 120 kilograms, has an approximate range of 100 kilometers (62 – 65 miles.)

The Iron Dome anti-missile system has thus far intercepted 45 missiles at a cost of $50,000 per interceptor.

The Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted two Grad Katyusha missiles Tuesday afternoon over the Negev city of Be’er Sheva.

Residents in the area were warned at 14:33 they had about 60 seconds to race for shelter; shortly after, they heard a large “boom!” as two missiles were blown to bits in the air.

Falling shrapnel did not hurt anyone as the entire population had obeyed the instructions of Home Front Command and entered their safe spaces immediately when they heard the Color Red incoming rocket alert siren.

Dozens of rockets and mortars were launched at Israel over Shabbat as Hamas terrorists laugh at PM Netanyahu’s unfulfilled ultimatum.

Most of the rockets landed in the Eshkol region and Ofakim, but two reached as far as Be’er Sheva.

One of the rockets targeting Be’er Sheva was taken down by the Iron Dome system, the other fell in an open area.

A soldier was lightly injured by a mortar that landed in the Eshkol region.

The IAF struck some terror targets and missile launch sites, but these attacks have been ineffectual in convincing Gaza to stop the wave of rockets on Israel.

PM Netanyahu consulted with his security services on Saturday night, though it’s not clear why, since he already issued an ultimatum that has been blatantly dismissed by the enemy, and that he hasn’t followed through with.

Be’er Sheva hasn’t been targeted (or more accurately, reached) by Gazan missile, since 2012.

By not responding decisively and forcefully to the Gazan rockets, Israel is projecting weakness to Hamas, and further emboldening them, hence the increased rocket launches and attempts to hit cities even further away.

The city of Ashdod has cancelled school tomorrow for all educational centers without sufficient bomb shelters.

Video of Gazan rocket launched at Ashkelon:

On Friday, June 27, an IAF aircraft targeted O​sama Ha​s​sumi and Mohammad Fatzih​, terror operative​s ​in the northern Gaza Strip.

Osama Hass​umi and Mohammad Fatzih were involved in the rockets launched at Israel last week. Hassumi and Fatzih were also involved in several terror attacks against Israel over the past few years and were planning further attacks against Israel and its civilians.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner: “​Militants like Hassumi and Fatzih, attacking Israel from Gaza, are not safe, do not have immunity, and will not be free to plan, plot and operate. We will continue to strike the instigators and agitators with patience, determination and precision. Gaza rocket terrorism does not pay”.

For more than a week, Gaza terrorists have continued to fire rockets at Israel. The attacks are increasing the rocket threat against southern communities, forcing the IDF to act in defense of innocent civilians. Following each rocket strike, the Israel Air Force has responded by targeting the activity of terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, terrorists in the area have fired more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks.
Although Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense system stops some of the attacks, most rockets are capable of reaching Israel’s biggest southern cities. More than half a million Israelis have less than 60 seconds to find shelter after a rocket is launched from Gaza into Israel.

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Gazan terrorists fired five rockets during the early evening hours yesterday (Jun. 24) at southern Israel, sending tens of thousands of civilians running into bomb shelters in the highly populated Ashkelon area. Two of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. No injuries or damage were reported.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) retaliated by attacking seven terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including five hidden launching pads. An IDF spokesman announced that the IDF holds Hamas responsible for all terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip, and will continue to operate with decisiveness to protect the State of Israel.

A three-year-old girl from Gaza was killed after a rocket fired at Israel failed to hit its target and landed on her home in Gaza, this according to Palestinian medical sources. Four members of the girl’s family were injured after the rocket landed on their house in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza. The four were evacuated to a hospital.

For more than a week, Gazan terrorists have continuously fired rockets at Israel. Over 20 rockets have been fired at Israel since the beginning of Operation ‘Brother’s Keeper’ to find the three abducted boys Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel. Over 200 have been fired since the beginning of the 2014. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, terrorists have fired more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks.

“We have repeatedly addressed the consequences facing those who seek to endanger the lives of innocent civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner recently said in response to the attacks. “Iron Dome’s success does not change the absurd fact that Israelis have been living under continuous rocket threat for multiple years. We shall persist with our determination to combat terror elements and eliminate the pending threat to Israeli lives.”

Gaza terrorists fired several rockets at southern Israel, sending thousands into bomb shelters in the Ashkelon area.

For more than a week, Gaza terrorists have continued to fire rockets at Israel. The attacks are increasing the rocket threat against southern communities, forcing the IDF to act in defense of innocent civilians. Following each rocket strike, the Israel Air Force has responded by targeting the activity of terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, terrorists in the area have fired more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks. Although Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense system stops some of the attacks, most rockets are capable of reaching Israel’s biggest southern cities. More than half a million Israelis have less than 60 seconds to find shelter after a rocket is launched from Gaza into Israel.

“We have repeatedly addressed the consequences facing those who seek to endanger the lives of innocent civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner recently said in response to the attacks. “Iron Dome’s success does not change the absurd fact that Israelis have been living under continuous rocket threat for multiple years. We shall persist with our determination to combat terror elements and eliminate the pending threat to Israeli lives.”

Updates: Rocket attacks against Israel

Tuesday June 24

Terrorists fired several rockets at southern Israel, sending thousands into bomb shelters in the Ashkelon area. Iron Dome intercepted two rockets, and one rocket landed in Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council.

Sunday June 22

Terrorists fired two rockets fired at Israel. Both of them hit the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council.

In response: The IDF targeted four terror activity sites in Gaza.

Additionally, a terrorist carrying a hand grenade was arrested Sunday morning near Eshkol Regional Council. An initial investigation suggests he infiltrated Israel through the Gaza security fence.

Saturday June 21

Terrorists fired three rockets at Israel.

• One hit the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council

• One hit Hof Ashkelon Regional Council

• One fell short of its target and landed in Gaza

Friday June 20

Four rockets fired at Israel.

• One hit an open area near Sderot

• One intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system

• Two fell short of their target and landed in Palestinian teritory

In response: The IDF targeted three concealed rocket launchers and a weapons storage facility in Gaza.

Thursday June 19

Two rockets fired at Israel.

• One intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system

• One hit an open area near Sderot

In response: The IDF targeted a rocket-launching site and two terror activity sites in Gaza.

Wednesday June 18

Five rockets fired at Israel.

• Two hit the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council

• A house damaged by the explosion

Tuesday June 17

In response to rocket fire: The IDF targeted a terrorist activity site, a weapons factory and two weapon storage facilities in Gaza.

Monday June 16

One rocket fired at Israel.

In response: The IDF targeted two terrorist activity sites, three weapon storage facilities, and a weapons-manufacturing site in Gaza.

On Wednesday night, the IDF took out Global Jihad (Salafi) terrorist, Mahmad Awar (33) from Beit Lahia. The terrorist was taken out in a joint Shabak-IDF operation.

Awar was responsible for shooting numerous rockets at Israel. As his day job, Awar worked as a Hamas policeman.

Mahmed Awar.
Photo via Yoni Alper

The Israel Air Force took him out by shooting a missile at the motorcycle he was riding. Also injured in the strike was Hamada Hassan. A second man was also reported to have been killed, Muhamed Ahmed (30) from Beit Lahia.

Among the other attacks Awar was planning, the Shabak had information that Awar was plotting to take down a helicopter with an anti-aircraft missile, according to a report by Rotternik.

Due to the seriousness of the threat from Awar, the decision was made to preemptively eliminate him.

Earlier today a missile was launched at Israel from Gaza.

Video from right after the strike (may take a moment to load):