Air strikes bombard Gaza, Israel

SDEROT, Israel, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Seventeen people went into shock Thursday after a Katyusha rocket struck a house in the ancient city of Ashkelon, hit by four rockets, officials said.

Elsewhere along the Gaza-Israel border, a 70-year-old woman was slightly injured and 14 people became shocky as Qassam rockets pounded Sderot from Hamas-controlled Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Several cars and a factory were damaged in Thursday's attack, which came as Israeli Education Minister Yuli Tamir was visiting Sapir College with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The college near Sderot was shelled and a student killed.

Also Thursday, a security guard for Israeli Public Security Minister Avi Richter was wounded when a Qassam rocket landed at the college entrance while the minister was visiting.

Israeli officials said more than 20 shells were lobbed into the area, the newspaper said.

At least 15 Palestinians, including a baby, and one Israeli died since the attack and counterattack began Wednesday.