IDF Homefront Command officials announced on Sunday the Color Red warning system signaling an incoming rocket attack from Gaza will be doubled from the current 15 seconds to 30 seconds in Ashkelon. Officials have calculated that the longer-range Grad rockets which strike Ashkelon take a longer period to land compared to the Qassam rockets striking Sderot and areas closer to northern Gaza.

It was also decided that all areas situated more than 7km (4.2 miles) from the Gaza border will receive the prolonged warning siren, giving residents an additional 15 seconds to seek cover.

On Tuesday morning at 11:30 the Homefront Command will conduct a drill in Ashkelon and students in the city’s schools will rehearse moving to safe areas during the prolonged sirens. Other city residents will be requested to inform the military if the warning signal was heard in their neighborhood and efforts will be made to enact repairs as soon as possible to ensure all of the city’s residents are warned of incoming rockets in ample time.

A similar exercise will be carried out in nearby Netivot at 9:30. To date, Netivot has not been connected to the rocket warning system, but it appears as the situation continues to deteriorate, the city will be added to the list of Israeli municipalities under attack from Hamas-controlled Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)