Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza fired more than 50 rockets at southern Israel on Wednesday, prompting a sharp warning from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli security source told AFP that militants had fired more than 50 rockets "in close succession", targeting areas all over the south. "It has now passed the 50 mark and they are continuing to fire," he told AFP as tens of thousands of people living in southern Israel rushed to seek shelter from the bombardment.
The Israeli army put the number at "more than 30 rockets", saying eight of them had struck urban areas, and another three were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system. Police said the rocket fire fell in several waves along the length of Israel's border with Gaza and that one struck near a public library in the town of Sderot.