Afula, Nazrat Illit, Migdal Haemek and Jezreel Valley bombed Sunday night shortly after 11:00 p.m. Attack first of its kind on valley area; frightened citizens report they heard alert signals, followed by blasts; apparently no wounded or damages Sharon Roffe-Ophir
Valley under fire: Afula, Nazrat Illit, Migdal Haemek and Jezreel Valley communities were bombed Sunday night shortly after 11:00 p.m. The attack was the first of its kind on the valley area. Frightened citizens from around the area reported that alert signals sounded in the town, followed by the echoes of rocket blasts. The rockets apparently landed in open areas.
Earlier, at 10:15 p.m. rockets were fired towards Shomra in the Western Galilee. The rockets landed in open areas, but sparked a fire near the town. Fifteen soldiers were lightly injured from smoke inhalation.
Southern Front
The army assessed that Hizbullah was focusing efforts on attacking during daylight hours to increase the likelihood of hitting civilian populations, hence the brief abatement in attacks Sunday evening.
Shortly afterwards rocket barrages landed near Ramat Yishai east of Haifa, officials say. No one was injured and no damage was reported.
Liat, a resident of Migdal Haemek, told Ynet, “We heard the alarm, and then came the blasts. We’re sitting in our secured room, we don’t know when we can come out. We’re close to Nahalel Junction, and so far we haven’t heard any ambulance sirens or police. I hope no one was hurt.”
An Afula resident, Liora, said she heard two explosions. “We live in lower Afula. It didn’t sound close, but we heard them. The alarm started on the second hit. We’re sitting in the protected room, the kids are sleeping, and I guess we’ll sleep the night here. I experience the Scuds (during the Gulf War) from Ramat Gan, but it’s still very unpleasant.”
Liron Cohen, 22 from Nazrat Illit hear the sirens too. “We went into the secured area – a hallway with no windows, and after 15 minutes we came out to see what happened. We heard explosion but didn’t see anything. Everyone here is panicked. I don’t know if I’m going to work tomorrow, because I work in Afula. They haven’t informed us of anything yet,” she said.
Magen David Adom reported that medical teams were in the field to ascertain there were no wounded. So far no casualties have been reported, MDA spokespeople said. Security forces are searching the area, and residents were requested to take shelter in protected areas.