[Ynet] Rocket explodes in open area in Sdot Negev Regional Council; no injuries reported; Israeli aircraft retaliate with attacks on terror facility, arms cache in southern StripFollowing the rocket fire, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Brigadier General Eitan Dangot ordered the Kerem Shalom Crossing be closed down for the passage of goods.
The Erez Crossing at the northern Gazoo Strip will remain open for humanitarian cases only.
During the wekly cabinet meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will not accept sporadic rocket fire from the Gazoo Strip.
Netanyahu referred to the IAF's strike in Gazoo on Saturday night and added: "Israel will do what's necessary to defend its citizens."
The rocket fire on Israel's southern region resumed shortly after Operation Pillar of Defense in Gazoo. In early April it was reported that the US plans to invest an additional $400 million in the Iron Dome missile defense system over the next few years.
Despite US budget cuts in military spending, the US will spend an extra $220 million in the proven defense system in fiscal year 2014, and an extra $176 million in 2015. The Pentagon invested $204 million in Iron Dome in 2011 and $70 million in 2012.
According to the New York Times
...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize...
, the Iron Dome system intercepted 421 rockets fired from Gazoo during Operation Pillar of Defense, with an 84% success rate.