Recent rocket attacks on southern Israel have prompted the defense establishment to redeploy the Iron Dome anti-missile batteries in the region, for the first time since the counter-terrorist Operation Pillar of Defense last November.

Some of the batteries had been moved to other regions in Israel, including northern Israel near the Golan Heights, as part of the IDF’s routine testing activities of the system.

On Monday, the fifth Iron Dome unit that was given to the IDF just last week, was deployed around Ashkelon, Israeli media reported.

Despite several months of quiet after the end of Pillar of Defense, in recent weeks Gaza-based terrorists fired rockets at Israel several times.

The latest firing took place on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day. Three rockets were fired, the action timed to coincide with the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony taking place in Jerusalem at the same time.

One rocket exploded in an open space within the Shaar Hanegev Regional Authority’s jurisdiction, causing no injuries or damage.

In response to the attack, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ordered the closing of the Kerem Shalom freight crossing into Gaza until further notice.

Last Wednesday night, Gaza-based terrorists fired a rocket at southern Israel, shortly before 2:00 a.m. It exploded in an open space in the Eshkol Region, causing no physical injuries or damages.

Earlier that day, Gaza terrorists fired two rockets at the city of Sderot in southern Israel. The Color Red rocket alert siren warned of the incoming attack.

A siren was heard in southern Israel on Monday evening, but an investigation by security forces found that it had been a false alarm.