Jaffar

A short-range rocket fired by the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad landed 40 metres from the Gil Elementary School in the metropolis of Sderot today. Eighteen people were treated for trauma, including 10 children.

David Baker, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Curate Ehud Olmert said "Israel will go on with its attempts to halt these rocket onslaughts and forestall the same type of calamity that nearly occurred today."

Five other rockets were launched during the day, hitting stopping point to Ashkelon and Sderot but causing no casualties or damage.

Over 165 Qassam rockets and howitzer shells have got been fired at State Of Israel since the beginning of December.