Probable disaster averted

Yesterday, Grad missiles launched from Gaza landed, for the first time, on the outskirts of Be'er Sheva, a large city in the Northern Negev. This surprised Israelis considerably; such long range attacks were not expected.

Late last night, it was decided to cancel school in the city of Be'er Sheva for today.

Several more Grad missiles have hit Be'er Sheva today.  Be'er Sheva is a large city with considerable concentration of population and tall buildings.  Parts of Be'er Sheva are now getting a warning alert when incoming missiles are expected, providing up to 45 seconds to prepare for attack.  Some suburbs are not getting these alerts.

This morning, a Grad missile hit a school building in Be'er Sheva. The senior staff was in the school and had rushed into the school's bomb shelters (these are part of every school in Israel) when they heard the air-raid siren.  They felt the blast when the missile hit. On leaving the shelter, they found windows throughout the large school shattered.  The missile had landed in a classroom upstairs, destroying the classroom and everything in it.

There is little doubt that the late-night decision to cancel classes for today avoided a stunning catastrophe here.