Schools in southern Israel will reopen Sunday after several days in which they were closed due to rocket attacks from Gaza.

Among the cities that have officially announced a return to routine are Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be’er Sheva, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Gan Yavne and Ofakim.

In Ashkelon high schools will remain closed. However, the closure will be due to a teachers’ strike.

Gaza terrorists launched a major assault on Israel last week, firing off over 200 rockets and mortar shells. While the Iron Dome defense system successfully shot down most rockets that were on course for cities, several still hit civilian areas. Homefront Command officials decided to shut down schools between 7 and 40 kilometers of Gaza.

Schools within seven kilometers of Gaza were open last week despite rocket attacks, as they have all been specially reinforced against rocket fire.

A ceasefire agreement reached late on Monday night failed to end rocket attacks. While the Homefront Command decided to permit schools to reopen, local officials were afraid to take the risk, and most educational institutions remained closed for most of the week. (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 03/17/12)