Israeli cities along the Mediterranean coast came under heavy rocket fire Wednesday afternoon after the Israeli Air Force struck terrorist positions in the Gaza enclave. Israeli fighter pilots continued bombing Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror targets in the enclave, even as terrorists launched rockets at the Jewish State.
More than 170 short-range and medium-range rockets were fired at Israeli civilians by 3 pm, reaching as far north as Gush Dan — but at least 30 percent of those rockets never made it across the border and instead landed either in Gazan territory and/or in the Mediterranean Sea.
Public bomb shelters opened in Beit Shemesh and Mevaseret Zion — both cities not far from Jerusalem — at around 4:15 pm.
The Iron Dome aerial defense system shot down multiple missiles headed for Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan.
Interception over Tel Aviv:
יירוט כיפת ברזל בשמי תל אביב pic.twitter.com/LP7Z5AQyOl
— בז news (@1717Bazz) May 10, 2023
Interception over Ramat Gan:
יירוט כיפת ברזל בשמי תל אביב pic.twitter.com/LP7Z5AQyOl
— בז news (@1717Bazz) May 10, 2023
Israel’s David’s Sling system was also used shortly after 2 pm for the first time since 2018 to intercept a rocket fired at Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media. The David’s Sling, system, also known as Magic Wand, is an advanced Israeli military system designed to intercept enemy planes, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles fired at ranges from 40 to 300 km. Its interceptor missiles are hugely expensive, costing an estimated one million dollars for a single interceptor.
During the rockets launched at Gush Dan earlier today, a successful interception was carried out in the David's Sling system. The system is part of the overall multi-layered air defense system. pic.twitter.com/iaTbazHAJm
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) May 10, 2023
At 2:25 pm, Ben Gurion International Airport briefly halted all departures and arrivals at the airport while rockets were being fired at Tel Aviv and its surround areas. Aircraft that were about to land were told to circle out of range for several minutes before being allowed to land, according to a report by Ynet.
“My flight is in a holding pattern because of rockets being fired,” one passenger told JewishPress.com. The passenger, who requested anonymity, added a few minutes later that his flight had landed safely — and the airport had returned to routine operations.
Nevertheless, British Airways subsequently notified Israel that it was suspending flights to Israel for the time being, due to the current “tensions.”
Red Alert incoming rocket sirens sent Israelis racing for their safe spaces.
Earlier in the day, residents of southern Israel were warned by the IDF Home Front Command to remain close to bomb shelters and other safe spaces. The advice was accurate, as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorists launched a barrage of rocket fire at Israeli towns and cities.
One home in the southern border city of Sderot sustained a direct hit by a rocket, but the owners were not home, and there were no reported injuries. Thousands of local residents in Sderot and surrounding communities left their homes on Tuesday in anticipation of the rocket fire, and are being hosted in cities further north.
In the Eshkol district, one rocket struck the roof of a kindergarten building (it was empty) and another hit a chicken coop. A third rocket hit a yeshiva building, causing damage but no injuries.
In addition to communities in the Gaza Envelope, the cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Givatayim, Bat Yam, Holon, Yavne, Netivot and Rishon Lezion came under heavy attack as well.
In the port city of Ashdod, one woman in her 60s sustained mild injuries while racing to a bomb shelter; she was taken to the city’s Assuta Medical Center. In addition, a number of residents are being treated for shock.
People on the beach in Tel Aviv reported seeing the Iron Dome aerial defense system shoot down rockets just south of the city.
NOTE:
Unit 360 has published the numbers for “resilience centers” in the areas being targeted in the attacks. Israelis are invited to call any of the centers if they are struggling with anxiety or panic.
Eshkol: 08-996-5264
Shaar HaNegev: 051-226-6275
Ashkelon: *2452
Ashkelon Coast: 08-677-5598
Sderot: *8516
