The IDF Home Front Command widened the region in which where no classes will be held to include Yavne and Gedera. Schools and kindergartens in Beersheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and communities proximate to the Gaza Strip were already closed earlier this week.
The IDF Home Front Command has also drafted another reserve battalion, which will be deployed in communities in range of Hamas rocket fire.
"Israel won't allow its citizens to be sitting ducks, and the operation will continue as long as necessary," Israel Ambassador to the UN Prof. Gabriella Shalev told a special meeting of the Security Council yesterday. She made the comment during an emergency meeting called by Libya to demand that the Security Council order Israel to unilaterally declare a cease-fire and open the border crossing to the Gaza Strip.
The Security Council meeting broke up with no resolution. It will meet again in the coming days.
At least three kassam and Grad rockets hit Israel this morning, while the IDF continued targeting sites in Gaza. Two Grad rockets struck near Beersheva last night. There were no casualties.
The crossing points into Gaza will remain closed today. About 90 trucks with humanitarian aid are waiting at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 1, 2009
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