Gaza Rocket Barrage Continues, Live Updates (UPDATED 2:24PM)

by Monsey.info

As tensions escalate between Israel and Gaza, rockets continue to rain down on southern Israel.

A rocket fired from Gaza on Monday afternoon directly hit a Sderot playground, causing some damage and no injuries.

The playground in question is next to Sderot’s hesder yeshiva, and immediately after the rocket hit, a special staff made up of yeshiva students came to aid anyone suffering from shock and to distance onlookers from the area.

Israel continues to retaliate with strikes on terror targets in Gaza.

Updates will be posted live, please refresh for latest updates:

Update 2:24pm: 2 impacts in open areas near Ein HaShlosha, no injuries.

Update 2:24pm: At least 1 explosion heard in the area after Red Alerts in Ein HaShlosha.

Update 2:22pm: IDF spokesperson: Initial report- Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha. Details to follow

Update 2:21pm: 2 rockets fired towards EIn Hashelosha moments ago

Update 2:20pm: Rockets fired towards EIn Hashelosha

Update 2:06pm:  PIJ says ceasefire depends on if Israel halts the attacks on Gaza, no agreement on 22:00

Update 1:55pm: Reports in Gaza now deny the 22:00 ceasefire

Update 1:44pm: Impact near Nahal Oz, no Red Alert sounded

Update 1:41pm: Mortar fired towards Nahal Oz

Update 1:17pm: 2 interceptions over Be’eri moments ago

Update 1:15pm: Red Alert in Be’eri, Zimrat, Shuva, Alumim, Shokeda, Kfar Maimon and Tushia

Update 1:13pm: Palestinians report ceasefire from 22:00

Update 1:01pm: Red Alert Kissufim once again

Update 12:57pm: Security official says that PIJ asked for a ceasefire but IDF is sceptical so they will continue striking until quiet is achieved

Update 12:39pm: IDF strikes continue in central Gaza

Update 12:32pm: 2 mortars fired towards Eshkol, no Red Alert sounded

Update 12:32pm: 2 mortars fired towards Eshkol, no Red Alert sounded

Update 12:29pm: Large explosion in Gaza city

Update 12:28pm: PIJ Al-Buraq site struck in Gaza and is on fire according to reports

Update 12:24pm: DFLP member attempted to place an IED on the border fence near Erez, shot by forces in the area.

Update 12:22pm: Ashkelon municipality says Homefront command guidelines apply to tomorrow as well, meaning school still cancelled.

Update 12:20pm: DFLP member seriously wounded near Erez from IDF fire

Update 12:18pm: Exchange of fire near Erez

Update 12:21am: Reports of IDF strike in Nuseirat, Gaza

Update 12:17pm: IDF confirms it is striking PIJ targets in Gaza now

Update 12:08pm: Reports in Gaza of a strike towards a motorcycle with serious injuries

Update 12:05pm: IDF strike in Dir Al-Balah, 2 missiles

Shrapnel landed next to a military vehicle near Sa’ad, no injuries pic.twitter.com/olQqBhLBks

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 24, 2020

Update 12:01pm: Red Alert sounded in a IDF base in the area, not in any towns. Update 12:01pm: Palestinians report 2 mortars fired towards Eshkol, no Red Alert sounded.

Impact near the fence of a town in Eshkol earlier

(Photo: Eshkol Security) pic.twitter.com/yM8VmotZwi Update 11:48am: IDF says around 50 rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel, with a 90% interception success rate with rockets heading for populated areas

Video of IDF strike towards PIJ rocket launching site in Gaza pic.twitter.com/N8vMdgiW7W

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 24, 2020

Update 11:40am: PIJ spokesperson: “Al-Quds Brigades announces that it has ended its military response to the murders in Khan Yunis and Damascus”

Update 11:39am: 45+ rockets fired today from Gaza, 70+ since yesterday

Update 11:35am: Red Alert in Sa’ad

Update 11:28am: 1 interception over Netiv Ha’asara

Update 11:27am: Rockets fired towards Netiv Ha’asara

Update 11:07am: IDF says it struck 7 PIJ posts in Gaza in response to the rocket fire

Update 11:05am: Explosion heard in Kissufim after the Red Alert

Update 11:05am: Explosion heard in Kissufim after the Red AlertUpdate 11:04am: IDF have reinforced the Gaza border area with more infantry soldiers

Update 11:05am:Explosion heard in Kissufim after the Red Alert

Update 11:04am: IDF have reinforced the Gaza border area with more infantry soldiers

Update 11:03am: Red Alerts in Kissufim

Update 11:02am: COGAT announces the closure of Erez checkpoint, cancellation of all Gaza work permits and reduction of the fishing zone to 6 nautical miles

Update 10:54am: Palestinians report electricity outage in Khan Younis after an IDF strike

Update 10:44am: One impact in open areas near Nirim

Update 10:42am: Explosions heard in the area

Update 10:42am: More rockets towards Nirim again

Update 10:31am: Possible direct impact in Ashkelon, fire reported in the area

Update 10:31am: Once again just Iron Dome shrapnel, no direct impact

Update 10:31am: Rockets fired once again towards Nirim and Ein HaShlosha

Update 10:31am: 2 interceptions over Nirim and Ein HaShlosha

Update 10:30am: In an hour there will be security meeting in the IDF HQ

Just imagine if children were playing in this playground when the rocket from Gaza struck!

(Credit Nadav Idan) pic.twitter.com/I5j92Uths6 — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 24, 2020

Update 11:16am:

Video of interceptions over Ashkelon earlier today pic.twitter.com/vChPD2tR00

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 24, 2020