Iron Dome intercepts an incoming Kassam; no damage or injuries reported; Schools to open on Friday

At least five rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at the southern city of Ashkelon on Thursday evening as cross-border violence restarted after a day-long lull.

Four of the rockets exploded in open fields near the city, and one was shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system. No damage or injuries were reported.

On Thursday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Major General Benny Gantz said that these incidents are likely to continue. Speaking at a Defense Ministry event in Tel Aviv, Gantz said that “the challenges facing the IDF are like a spiral, constantly developing and changing.”

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor lodged a formal complaint with the Security Council and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about the rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip in recent days.

“So long as there are no quiet towns in southern Israel, Gaza won’t be quiet either,” Prosor said. He also protested the fact that Israel’s compliance with UN demands to allow aid into Gaza is met with rocket fire.

Prosor reiterated his statements at the UN on his Twitter feed Thursday evening and lashed out against Hamas rearmament. (© 2012 THE TIMES OF ISRAEL 06/21/12)