Rocket Fired From Gaza Strikes School Building In Sderot

Missiles are fired from Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, in the southern Israeli town of Sderot on May 4, 2019. Image by JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A rocket fired from Gaza hit a school building in the southern Israeli city of Sderot on Thursday evening.
The building, identified as a Jewish religious school, was damaged but no injuries were reported. It was reported to be empty at the time of impact and was fortified against rockets.
No one has taken responsibility for firing the rocket, but the Israeli military typically blames Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip.
A Code Red rocket alert was sounded in the area and one rocket was identified as being fired. It is not known why the rocket was not intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Bomb sappers were called to search the building for any unexploded fragments.
Early Thursday morning, a rocket was fired at a southern Israeli town on the border with Gaza. Iron Dome intercepted that rocket.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
