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At least ten rockets were fired by Gazan terrorists at Israeli civilian targets over the Passover holiday. One rocket caused damage to civilian infrastructure in Sderot. One rocket fell in Sderot near a synagogue which was occupied at the time by hundreds of Israelis praying. The rocket struck the road causing damage. No casualties or injuries were reported in all the attacks.

Army Radio reported that the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted an incoming rocket as well. As the barrage of rockets continued, the IDF deployed two attack helicopters to the northern Gaza Strip area to search for the source of rocket fire. The helicopters fired “warning shots” into the Strip, warning the terrorists to cease and desist their activities.

In response to the rocket attacks, IAF aircraft targeted two “terror activity sites” in the southern Gaza Strip and a third site in the central Gaza Strip. An IDF spokesperson announced that direct hits were confirmed.

Despite this escalation in violence the traditional post-Passover Meimmuna festivities were held in the south.

In a separate incident a bomb was activated Monday evening against IDF soldiers patrolling the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. 12 hours later, at around 07:15 Tuesday morning, Palestinian terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF patrol along the security fence in the same area, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responded with a mortar barrage on the area from which the rocket was fired.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman, said: “Israeli civilians celebrating the last day of the Passover Holiday woke up to the sound of Code-Red alarms and rockets. It is our obligation to seek out and target those who wish to attack our civilians and soldiers and to eliminate their capabilities. Hamas rocket terrorism is an intolerable reality Israelis should not have to accept”.

Since the beginning of 2014, over 100 rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel.