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Emergency state declared at Israeli town following missile attacks

RAMALLAH, May 16 (KUNA) -- Schools in the southern Israeli town of Sderot were shut and residents were asked to follow up on news of breaking security developments following a fresh missile attack, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.
Latest intensive missile attacks on the town by gunners of the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas constituted an attempt to distract Arab residents of Gaza from the internal violence between the organization's militants and members of Fatah group, according to the Israeli radio.
Rockets exploded on early on Wednesday after overnight missile attacks in which dozens of people were wounded in Sderot and nearby communities, the radio said, Five rockets had been fired at Israel from northern Gaza, although only four made it across the border. One landed in Gaza.
One of the missiles landed in a basketball court of a kibbutz, while the rest landed in open areas near Sderot and Ashkelon, but no injuries were reported in the attacks.
Terrorists fired 18 rockets at Sderot and nearby communities Tuesday night. Six victims remained hospitalized at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon early on Wednesday in the wake of the attacks. One of the victims, a woman who was critically injured when a rocket slammed into her home, was listed in fair condition, as was her son who was with her when the house was hit. The Israeli Haaretz reported today that the Israeli armed forces will increase military missions in Gaza Strip. (end) nq.asa KUNA 161057 May 07NNNN