UPDATE: Aaron Klein, WND's Jerusalem bureau chief, reports he is now in a bomb shelter in Tel Aviv after a warning siren sounded in the Israeli city.



TEL AVIV – A siren has gone off in Tel Aviv warning of a possible incoming rocket.

Residents outside could be seen scrambling to find safety.

An explosion was heard by WND in Tel Aviv. A separate explosion could be heard in the neighboring city of Bat Yom. The sources of the explosions are under investigation by the Israel Defense Forces. However, the IDF confirmed to WND that one rocket landed in an open area between Jaffa and Bat Yam. Jaffa borders Tel Aviv.

Earlier today, two rockets launched from the Gaza Strip landed in Rishon Lezion, some seven miles south of Tel Aviv.

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No casualties were reported in the Rishon Lezion attacks, which at the time were by far the farthest strikes by Hamas in two days of fighting.

Three Israelis were killed today by a direct rocket hit on their family home in the Gaza border town of Kiryat Malakhi. A 4-year-old Israeli boy and an infant were moderately wounded in separate rocket attacks.

More than 200 rockets have been fired from Gaza since Israel yesterday started what it calls Operation Pillar of Defense targeting the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.

The rocketing of Rishon Lezion comes less than 24 hours after WND quoted senior Hamas members saying the Islamist group was debating sending rockets to that city.

The Hamas leadership in Gaza has also been studying the possibility of attempting to assassinate Israeli figures or launching suicide bombings inside Israel, the senior Hamas members said yesterday.

Also being debating by Hamas is the immediate use of anti-aircraft and other advanced missiles to target Israel Air Force operations over the Gaza Strip, the Hamas members said.

According to the senior Hamas members speaking to WND, the responses Hamas is currently debating launching against Israel include:

Firing long range rockets aimed at Gedera and Rishon Lezion. Such rocket firing would be considered a strategic game changer.

Launching suicide bombings inside Israel. Any attempted suicide attacks would most likely originate with the Hamas infrastructure within the West Bank. Israeli security sources told WND that Hamas maintains the capability of attempting suicide bombings from the West Bank.

Assassinating Israeli figures. The Hamas members said the group is already compiling a list of possible targets but would not comment to WND about whether those targets were political, military or civilian.

Further, the senior Hamas members said the group is likely to use anti-aircraft and other advanced missiles against IAF airplanes operating over the Gaza Strip.