One Israeli killed, 4 hurt as Palestinian rockets hit Negev home
By Fadi Adayat and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service
Last update - 17:36 27/12/2008
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050399.html

Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip fired at least 25 Qassam and Grad
rockets into southern Israel on Saturday after Israeli air strikes killed
more than 195 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.

One of the rockets directly struck a home in the town of Netivot, causing
extensive damage. One person was killed in the attack and four suffered
moderate to serious injuries.

One rocket struck just outside Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometers from Gaza. The
strike marked the first time in the eight years since Hamas has been firing
rockets into Israel that a rocket has struck the southern Israeli city.
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The Israel Defense Forces had put communities near the border on alert,
anticipating massive rocket barrages from Gaza in response to the Israel Air
Force offensive in the territory.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak had ordered a state of emergency in all
communities that lie within a radius of 20 kilometers of the Gaza Strip.

Defense officials anticipate a massive Palestinian bombardment of Israeli
communities following the IAF strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.

A short time following the IAF strikes, seven rockets exploded in the
western Negev.

The IDF Home Front Command has issued directives to residents of towns
adjacent to the Gaza border, including Sderot, requiring them to remain
indoors. Authorities are forbidding residents from gathering in crowds.

Israelis residing in communities within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza
are required to enter bomb-proof shelters within 15 seconds of hearing the
siren warning of an incoming projectile.

Residents in towns which lie within a radius of 20-30 kilometers from the
Gaza fence - areas which include Ashdod, Ofakim, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat,
and Rahat - are to enter shelters within 45 seconds of hearing the sirens