Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 19, 2009 Tevet 23, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:38 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Grad nearly strikes worshipers at synagogue By Yanir Yagna Dozens of worshipers in a community near the city of Ofakim narrowly escaped injury yesterday when a Grad rocket hit a study hall adjacent to the synagogue where they were praying. "We were in the middle of the shacharit morning prayer service and the rabbi just said the word vishmarech ["you shall be guarded" in Hebrew) when we heard a loud bang," recounted Nissim Almog, one of the worshipers who witnessed the attack. "The Grad hit the study hall next to the synagogue - it was a miracle. Even the windows shattered outward and my mother who was in the women's section was not hurt." Advertisement The Grad was one of 15 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel by Palestinian militants yesterday, as the Israel Defense Forces' operation in the coastal territory entered its 21st day. No one was wounded in the attacks but damage was caused to property. Two of the longer-ranged Grads fell in open fields in the Be'er Sheva area, while others targeted parts of the Western Negev. On Friday at least 23 rockets were fired at Israel. Three people in the Kiryat Gat area were lightly wounded when a Qassam landed near their vehicle. The Home Front Command yesterday announced that schools in Sderot would remain shut until further notice. The number of rockets fired by Palestinians from Gaza at Israel has decreased from about 50 in the first days of the operation to around 20 yesterday, although the IDF has been unable to stop them entirely. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hamas's next move With Israel having pulled the plug on Cast Lead, the ball is now in Hamas's court in Gaza. Testing Obama The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has blown up again, on the U.S. president-elect's doorstep.

Read & React IDF begins partial Gaza troop pullout, after 3-week offensive Responses: 111 Harel & Issacharoff: The ball is now in Hamas' court in Gaza Responses: 27 Aluf Benn: Israel declares victory in Gaza, but at what cost? Responses: 119 Gideon Levy / An open response to A.B. Yehoshua Responses: 97 More Headlines 00:22 Sarkozy: EU would never harm Israel's security 22:59 Olmert: Israel will pull all Gaza troops as soon as possible 21:05 IDF begins Gaza troop withdrawal, hours after ending 3-week offensive 22:31 Haniyeh: Hamas won Gaza war, but was wise to declare truce 15:21 Shin Bet Chief: Hamas will resume arms smuggling to Gaza within a few months 22:39 Likud leading election polls with 29 seats, in wake of Gaza operation 20:02 Ashdod woman hurt by Gaza rocket as Hamas declares truce 19:44 Obama welcomes Gaza truce, says committed to Mideast peace 07:29 ANALYSIS / The ball is now in Hamas' court in Gaza 19:43 Iran to publish English version of satirical book on Holocaust 19:25 IN PICTURES / World leaders discuss Gaza at Sharm summit 20:35 Israel opens field clinic at Gaza border to treat Palestinian wounded 20:05 France raises alert after spate of anti-Semitic attacks over Gaza op 21:27 New York approves plan for first public school with Hebrew focus 14:04 Report: Palestinians find 95 bodies in rubble of battle-torn Gaza 22:13 ANALYSIS / Israel declares victory in Gaza, but at what cost? 18:10 Qatar closes Israel trade office over Gaza op, expels staff from country Previous Editions Select Day 18 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier State of Israel Bonds During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help. SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Summer Camp in Israel The best place for your children this summer Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved