On the way to war? • Direct hit at factory in Netivot

After a relatively quiet night, the battle was renewed today (Monday) in the south.

Today at around 2 pm, a rocket landed in a wood manufacturing factory in Netivot. Trauma victims were evacuated.

Around 7:00 in the morning a rocket hit a store in Netivot. Some houses were damaged and electricity infrastructure was lost. Electricity workers were rushed to the area to restore power supply to the city.

Miraculously, since it was early morning, the store was empty of people, and avoided fatalities, but 26 people who were near the area were traumatized. The store building was damaged due to the metal balls which penetrated the window. 26 people were treated for trauma.

Netivot Mayor Yehiel Zohar, announced that there will be no school except for armored educational institutions.

Only two hours passed, and five rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip and landed south of Ashkelon. The Iron Dome system intercepted two of them.

Chief of Staff Benny Gantz discussed this morning (Monday) the response to the continued rocket fire from Gaza, and the background Southern Command calling to significantly worsen the IDF response to the fire at Israel's southern communities. However, while consultations are being held by the Chief, the Egyptians are working to pressure Israel not to attack Gaza broadly. The south went through a difficult day of exchange blows and an unending hail of rockets yesterday (Sunday).

Despite reports of cease-fire, shooting did not stop and more than 110 rockets were fired on Sunday. Jerusalem rejected reports of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas - and made it clear: "This situation cannot continue."

In recent months, the distance between the rounds of escalation on the Gaza border were shorter and shorter, and sabotage activities on the Egyptian border is growing. With this in mind, the chance to be drawn into broad military action increased.

According to military sources, the stormy weather prevents adequate military response, and strip terrorists continue to fire rockets at Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for the possibility of extensive military action and instructed the National Information Department to raise awareness of international events in the south, and the unbearable difficulties passing on the southern residents.

As part of these efforts, all foreign ambassadors stationed in Israel were invited for a meeting with the Prime Minister in the south.

The Foreign Ministry also sent instructions to Israeli ambassadors stationed abroad, to raise the human story of the residents of Sderot in every political discussion and media interviews.

The National Information issued photographers to the area, to photograph the difficulties faced by residents of the south, and the Foreign Ministry produces video material for distribution between media and social networking. Foreign journalists will meet with local citizens.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, continued to hold regular consultation and instructed the IDF to examine the options in worsening reactions against terrorist organizations in Gaza.

The Egyptian Information Department is doing all within its power to mediate between the parties to reach an agreement - so far in vain. Palestinian sources reported a ceasefire between Palestinian factions in Gaza and Israel, but hopes were disappointed and rockets continued.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!