One of two Kassam rockets launched by terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip slammed into a Sderot residential building Friday morning, causing extensive damage to two homes. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
Two women suffering from extreme shock were evacuated to area hospitals by Magen David Adom medics. Sderot's warning system was activated 10-15 seconds before the loud explosion rocked the residential area, said Noam Bedein of the Sderot Information Center, who lives a block away from where the missile fell. Bedein said the rocket struck the side of a residential building, causing severe damage to two adjacent homes. A balcony was destroyed, and a large section of the roof had collapsed. Shrapnel and broken glass shredded the walls in the living rooms of the two homes, and a kitchen was demolished. The two families, having heard the alert, were on their staircases leading to their respective safe rooms when the missile tore through the homes, Bedein said.
Bedein said Friday's rocket was large by the home-made missiles' standard, in overall size being only slightly smaller than a standard Katyusha missile. A second rocket landed near a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. No wounded were reported in that attack.