Israel Matzav

Breaking: Erez crossing point under attack, multiple casualties UPDATED x9

This will become a liveblog once I have more details.

Mortar attack in vicinity of Erez border crossing results in multiple injuries
— Daniel Nisman (@DannyNis) August 24, 2014

UPDATE 1:31 PM

Israel Radio reports four injured, two in serious condition.

UPDATE 1:32 PM

Israel Radio: Shooting continues. Two serious, one moderately wounded and one treated at scene. Still evacuating wounded. (Then said three wounded, two seriously and one treated at scene).

UPDATE 1:35 PM

With each mortar attack that causes casualties, more pressure on govt to order ground operation- particularly after recent mass evacuations
— Daniel Nisman (@DannyNis) August 24, 2014

UPDATE 1:40 PM

In fact, it was three wounded.

1:29 P.M. Three people were wounded by mortar shells in southern Israel, and not five as was previously reported. of them, two suffered serious wounds and one is moderately injured. Firefighters and emergency services are attempting to evacuate the wounded while still under fire. (Gili Cohen)

UPDATE 1:49 PM

For those who don't get the significance of an attack on Erez....

There's only one crossing through which people can pass between Israel and Gaza, and Hamas just attacked it with mortars
— Judge Dan (@JudgeDan48) August 24, 2014

UPDATE 2:00 PM

Israel Radio now reporting four wounded again. Listing three as moderately-to-seriously wounded. Fourth treated on site. Eleven rockets and mortars shot at Erez in the last 24 hours!

Children's ward of Barzilay Hospital in Ashkelon has been turned into a bomb shelter.

UPDATE 2:12 PM

The crossing is now officially closed.

Today's mortar attack at Erez, which resulted in several civilian injuries, has forced the closure of the crossing. #Gaza
— Daniel Nisman (@DannyNis) August 24, 2014

UPDATE 2:47 PM

Once again they hit their own.

#Erez crossing casualties were drivers, two from Beduin town Rahat, one from east Jerusalem #Israel #Gaza
— Jonah Mandel (@mandeljonah) August 24, 2014

UPDATE 2:57 PM

Got 'em.

IDF strikes Gaza launcher used to fire mortars at Erez RT @gilicohen10
— Aliyana Traison (@aliyanat) August 24, 2014

Labels: Erez crossing, Gaza, Hamas, IDF, mortar shells, Operation Protective Edge

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:30 PM