Sirens continued to sound throughout Israel over Saturday, as a mortar attack caused at least one serious injury in the Eshkol Region near Gaza.

A 77-year-old man was seriously injured at about 4:50 pm Saturday afternoon in an Eshkol region community after being struck by shrapnel from a mortar barrage from Gaza.

Magen David Adom (MDA) medics rushed to the scene; the man was treated on-site for injuries to his head and lower torso. He was later transferred to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, where he is being held in serious condition and is reportedly fully conscious. 

Several salvoes were fired on southern communities and the Gush Dan (Central Israel/Tel Aviv) region, beginning at roughly 6:00 am Saturday.

Five victims, in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Netanya, Herzliya, and Be’er Sheva, were treated for shock; one was as young as 18 months old.  

Since the beginning of the operation, MDA has provided care to 631 injured civilians, twenty of whom were hit by shrapnel; three have died.

In addition, MDA has also treated 12 people who were injured as a result of broken glass and other damage, thirteen (13) who were injured lightly and moderately as a result of siren-related car accidents, 118 injuries resulting from blows and falls getting to protected areas and 468 trauma victims. 

MDA has asked the public to maintain contact with family members or adults with disabilities, and to ensure that their relatives can reach protected areas safely. 

In addition, MDA has asked the public to take every precaution possible in getting to protected spaces, including avoiding obstacles and walking carefully to avoid injuries. 

MDA Director General, Eli Bin said, “The MDA operates in all areas under rocket range, and are under high alert.”

“In order for us to provide prompt treatment to every call, all MDA vehicles are on alert and are staffed and ready to act to save lives immediately,” he continued.  “Again, I emphasize to the public that they should continue to obey the instructions of the Home Front Command – it saves lives every day, and we see this on the ground.”