The United States on Monday night condemned the rocket fire by Hamas against Israel. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Monday night in the wake of the heavy rocket fire on Israel. Kerry asked Netanyahu to “act with restraint” in his response to Hamas’ pounding of southern Israel.

With that, State Department spokesperson Jean Psaki said that the US supported Israel’s right to defend itself. “We condemn the firing of missiles at Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself.” Kerry, she said, had spoken to Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and asked both to work towards preventing a further flare-up in tensions.

Hamas fired over 30 rockets in a ten-minute period into Israel on Monday, with hits reported in Sha’ar HaNegev, the Eshkol Region, Netivot, Sderot, and Be’er Sheva between 8:00 – 8:10 pm IST. 

The rocket count has escalated to over 80 on Monday evening alone, Walla! News reports close to 10:30 pm Monday; the Iron Dome missile defense system has shot down 12-13 of them over Ashdod and Netivot. 

No buildings were reportedly damaged. An Ashkelon woman and her child are being treated for shrapnel injuries; several Ashdod residents were treated for shock.