Officials: We Could Avoid the Casualties if the Public Obeyed Instructions

Lachish Region Police Chief, Commander Alon Levavi, was at the scene in Kiryat Malachi and was adamant in his statement: "If the public had followed the instructions in this case (referring to the three killed and six injured from 2 Grad hits), we probably could have reported fewer casualties."

Internal security Minister Yizhak Aharonovitch said: "We should applaud the military and the Iron Dome system."

Aharonovitch added: "There is no magic solution to prevent rockets from falling on population centers. Occasionally a rocket will fall. But when I come here and see so many civilians just loitering around, I think it's irresponsible."

Regarding the Gaza operation, the minister said: "In my opinion, it will not end in two or three days."