Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon had harsh words for Hamas on Wednesday, following the barrage of rocket fire into Israel. 

“We will not ignore the barrage of rocket fire tonight,” Ya’alon stated. “We will not allow Islamic Jihad or any other entity in the Gaza Strip to disrupt the lives of Israeli citizens.”

Ya’alon continued: “when there is no quiet in the south, we will not allow Gaza to have quiet either – to make Islamic Jihad terrorists regret their rocket fire.” 

“Hamas is responsible for what is happening in Gaza, and it should take into account that we will not tolerate rocket fire at us,” Ya’alon warned. “If it does not know how to enforce peace, it will pray a heavy price.” 

Over sixty rockets were fired into Israel on Wednesday, causing no injuries but causing thousands of Israelis in the Negev region to be herded into shelters. IDF tanks fired at two terror targets from the border following the rocket fire, but no further action has been taken yet. 

Commander of the Southern Region, Major General Sami Turgeman, met with the mayors of Jewish communities near Gaza on Wednesday night to discuss the current situation. 

“This is the most serious incident since Operation Pillar of Defense, and is unacceptable,” Turgeman stated. “We have no intention to hold back [from responding] to any rocket fire.”