As Operation Pillar of Defense entered its third day, Gaza terror groups continued to fire rockets on southern Israeli communities. The IDF struck hundreds of targets in Gaza overnight and on Friday morning.

Around 1:30 pm an air raid siren was heard in Tel Aviv. The sound of a blast followed shortly thereafter. The rocket exploded in an open area. No injuries or damage were immediately reported.

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Shortly before the rocket was launched, Hamas released a statement it had "a surprise" in store for Israel.





Seeking shelter in Tel Aviv (Photo: Ohad Ashkenazi)

Earlier, a rocket exploded near a residential building in Beersheba, and another hit an Ashkelon parking lot.

Several rockets and mortar shells exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council after Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil arrived in Gaza, nixing hopes for a lull. Two rockets exploded in the city of Kiryat Gat. Two rockets that were fired towards Gan Yavne and Hof Ashkelon were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Dozens of rockets were launched on Friday morning and the count continues to climb.

Palestinian sources reported that the IAF had struck the home of Muhammad Abu Shmala, the commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades' southern district. Another report claimed that one was killed and three were injured in an IDF strike in the northern Gaza city of Jabalia. The IDF denied attacking the region.





Rocket damage in Ashdod (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

An anti-tank missile hit a jeep in the Eshkol Regional Council late on Friday morning. The vehicle was destroyed but the passengers managed to escape the attack.

Earlier Friday, two Grad rockets exploded in Ashdod, with one hitting a house's yard. Several people suffered panic attacks, and great damage was caused on the scene. Another rocket hit a house in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, causing considerable damage and igniting a fire. No injuries were immediately reported.

Meanwhile, rockets continued to fall in the Eshkol and Bnei Shimon regional councils, and air raid sirens sounded in Beersheba, Sderot, Ofakim and other towns in the vicinity. The Iron Dome intercepted several rockets fired on Beersheba and Ashkelon.





Rocket damage in Shaar Hanegev (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Some 250 terrorist targets, including underground launching pads, were hit in Gaza since Thursday night. An interior ministry building was bombed, according to Palestinian sources.

The IDF has struck more that 450 terrorist targets since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense. On Thursday, three Palestinians were killed in a strike on Beit Hanoun in the northern Strip.

Numerous mushroom clouds were seen over Gaza at around 6 am, mostly in the areas from which the Palestinians fire their rockets. No injuries have been reported as of yet.





Rocket damage in Shaar Hanegev (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Palestinian sources said that IDF jets twice bombed a civil service building belonging to the interior ministry in the Tel al-Awa neighborhood. It was reported that a fire was raging at the site.

According to another Palestinian report, the IAF bombed a top Hamas military operative's house. It wasn't immediately clear whether he was hit. It was further reported that a Hamas naval police station in Dir al-Balah in central Gaza was bombed.

Another report said that the IAF had struck a generator in the Shati refugee camp, not far from Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's home.

Some 20 Palestinians have been killed and 180 were injured since the beginning of the operation.

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