Israeli military prepares for rocket strikes from Gaza

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli defence officials said on Tuesday that the military is carrying out an exercise preparing a new set of towns for rocket strikes by Gaza fighters.

Tuesday's exercise includes communities that have not yet been hit and are not directly adjacent to Gaza.

The officials say the exercise will include police and emergency services, and incorporate responses for attacks on schools.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the details were not officially made public.

The head of Israel's Shin Bet security service said on Sunday that fighters in Gaza have rockets that can reach Israel's two biggest southern cities, Ashdod and Beersheba.