Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Gaza terrorists Wednesday that if the rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel do not stop, “deeper activity” in the region lies ahead.

The prime minister issued the grim warning during a visit to the missile-battered south on Wednesday, even as Gaza terrorists were continuing to fire missiles at the region. Netanyahu included a tour of the Iron Dome anti-missile system installation near Ashkelon in his itinerary.

“We did not start this recent escalation,” the prime minister pointed out, “but if it continues, we are prepared to go ahead with much wider and deeper military operations,” he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Iron Dome system near Ashkelon intercepted another Grad Katyusha missile, the eighth to be destroyed in less than 24 hours.

Gaza terrorists fired a barrage of eight rockets and mortar shells at the Ashkelon Regional Council district between noon and 1:30 p.m., but miraculously no one was physically injured in the attack. Numerous residents, however, were traumatized by the rain of terror, and those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from previous attacks had symptoms triggered by the barrage.

By mid-afternoon Wednesday, Labor Party leader Shelly Yechimovich announced her support for any decisions the prime minister might make in regard to the defense of the south against the terror from Gaza.

“I am behind Prime Minister Netanyahu and understand the complexity of the situation, which requires military action and maintaining restraint,” Yechimovich said. “It is important for me to strengthen the south in their difficult hour. The IDF is doing an excellent job and we trust [the army] wholeheartedly,” she added.