7 Apr 2011
An anti-tank missile fired at a clearly marked yellow school bus driving near the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council wounded two people. One of the wounded, a 16-year old school-boy, is in critical condition.
Two people were injured today (Thursday, 7 April 2011) by an anti-tank missile launched from the Gaza Strip at a yellow school bus near the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. One of the injured, a 16 year-old boy, is in critical condition. He was airlifted to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where he is currently being treated for severe trauma. The driver was lightly wounded.
Israel Police have sealed off all the roads in the area due to the threat of additional rocket fire, and have requested all civilians to remain in their homes.
The IDF reports that 45 rockets and mortars were fired at the Israeli home front from the Gaza Strip within three hours on Thursday afternoon.
IDF forces returned fire at areas from which the rockets and mortars were fired and targeted several terror sites in the Gaza Strip.
President Shimon Peres said in response to the attacks that "This is another incident which proves the Gaza Strip has turned into a terrorist zone. No one would give up the safety of his country's citizens and Israel stands firm on the right to defend itself. Hundereds of thousands of mothers and children in southern Israel cannot sleep at night as a result of rocket-fire from the Gaza Strip."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that he holds Hamas responsible for all terrorist attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip.