Three hurt in rocket strike in Israel

SDEROT, Israel, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in a parking lot in a crowded area of Sderot, Israel, Wednesday, injuring three people, Israeli authorities said.

The rocket was one of 15 fired during the day at communities in southern Israel, Ynetnews.com reported.

Two men were hit by shrapnel while a third man suffered damage to his ears when one rocket struck a parking lot being used by hundreds of shoppers. Numerous other people, including children, were treated at the scene for shock.

The Israeli air force said it retaliated by firing at a rocket launcher in northern Gaza, reported Ynetnews.com, noting there were no other reports of injuries from the other rocket strikes.

"We are strong, but this situation is unbearable," said Sderot resident Ella Fox. "Instead of starting our day like any other citizen in the state of Israel, we're forced to start it like this."

Meanwhile, the United Nations noted all border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip remained closed, preventing fuel, commercial commodities and humanitarian supplies from reaching the region's 1.5 million Palestinians. The blockade also is forcing Gaza's power-generating plant to limit output, translating into ongoing power cuts in Gaza City and elsewhere.

Israel shut down the access points in early November because of continuing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants on civilian Israeli targets.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in New York Wednesday that while the rocket attacks against civilians are wrong and Israel has "legitimate" concerns for its people's security and safety, those concerns "should not give any reason to neglect or abuse the humanitarian situation … and human rights."