TEL AVIV, April 7. /TASS/. Public bomb shelters opened on Thursday evening in the majority of cities in the north and south of Israel following massive rocket attacks from territories of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the Arutz Sheva news portal reported.
According to the portal, bomb shelters also opened in two satellite cities of Tel Aviv - Rishon LeTsiyon to the south and Rosh HaAyin to the east. Administration in both cities said the move was intended to make local residents feel safer, although the Israeli military has so far stopped short of issuing a direct order to prepare bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, as more rocket strikes are expected in Israel, bomb shelters also opened in Israeli regions close to Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, including Acre, Metula, Tiberias, Haifa and Safed in the north and Ashdod, Ashkelon, Be’er Sheva and Sderot in the south.
Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces’ press office reported that at least 34 rockets were launched at Israel, with 25 rockets intercepted by air defense systems, and five falling on Israeli territory. Information about the other four rockets is being clarified. According to Israeli media, three people were slightly injured by the shelling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called emergency meetings with the heads of security agencies.
The escalation in the north of Israel started amid rising tensions in the country’s southern areas, adjacent to the Gaza Strip where Palestinian radicals have been firing rockets toward Israel for two consecutive days. The events coincide with the flare-up around the Temple Mount, where clashes have recently occurred between Palestinians and Israeli forces.