Hamas broadened the radius of its attacks with new Iranian r...

Volleys of Palestinian rockets and missiles Monday night, Dec. 29, Day 3 of the Israeli offensive against Gaza, left three Israelis dead, as hundreds of Israel tank, armored cars and artillery piled up outside the gates of Gaza.

The first was killed at an Ashkelon building site; the second two Monday night by intensified Grad rocket and Qassam missile volleys – one outside Nahal Oz and a women driver who took shelter in the Ashdod bus terminus, 30 km from Gaza, which was struck by a Grad Katyusha rocket. Altogether 15 people were injured in the late-night barrage, two seriously at Kibbutz Shear Hanegev.

Ashkelon was hit twice: After the first Israeli was killed and 17 injured during the day, waves of Palestinian rockets and missiles continued to batter the town's school yards, kindergartens and bus terminus. There were no more casualties in Ashkelon in the second round of missiles which also targeted Sderot. Later, missiles struck Yavne for the first time and the closest point to Tel Aviv (25 km) to be hit as yet and Ofakim, another first, 30 km from Gaza. One person was injured there.