Vilnai: Renovate Ashkelon shelters

Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai yesterday ordered the immediate renovation of about 120 public bomb shelters in Ashkelon. The directive is a response to the recent escalation of fighting in Gaza and the firing of Katyusha and Grad rockets in the South. The cost of the renovations, estimated at about NIS 3 million, will be borne by the Ministry of Defense. The work will be carried out by contractors hired by the ministry and is expected to start within a few weeks.

All of the public shelters in Ashkelon were opened yesterday for people who find themselves outside and without other options during a rocket attack.

The Home Front Command, in cooperation with the Association of the Deaf in Israel, yesterday began distributing about 160 paging devices to hearing-impaired Asheklon residents that will notify them of a Color Red alert. (Yuval Azoulay)