The Qassam rocket, launched by Palestinian militants, exploded in the center of the training base, located close to the border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Although, according to the army source, the early-warning rocket system functioned properly, many of the soldiers failed to make their way to the bomb shelters on time. The majority of the soldiers had been sleeping at the time of the attack, the army spokesman said.
As a result of the attack, one soldier remains in a critical condition, and four have serious injuries. Many of the soldiers were reported to require treatment for shock.
The attack is the most serious by a single rocket on Israeli territory from Gaza. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Palestinian group, the Popular Resistance Committee, local media reported.
