Moshe Ami, the man killed in Ashkelon Saturday by a Grad rocket allegedly fired from the Gaza Strip, was laid to rest in Ashkelon. Israel. 30th October, 2011

A rocket barrage fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon was successfully intercepted.

Ahead of the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil, Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan tours the Ashkelon desalination plant that produces 118 million cubic meters of drinking water annually.

Hareidi religious Jews riot against the digging up graves in Ashkelon to make room for a new fortified emergency room, for use in war times. Digging up graves and disturbing the departed is forbidden by Jewish law. Jerusalem, Israel. 15/05/2010

A small Ashkelon hotel with a huge underground shelter has been transformed into a daycare center for children while schools are closed due to incoming missiles launched from Gaza, allowing parents to attend work without worry.

Palestinian launched rocket makes a direct hit in an Ashkelon school courtyard exploding through a concrete ceiling and creating a small crater. Miraculously, due to IDF Home Front Command instructions, schools are out in the Gaza perimeter.

The free Gilad Shalit eight boat flotilla set sail from Ashkelon to Ashdod port. On board were hundreds of American and Canadian Jewish Zionist youths from the Bnei Akiva youth organisation. Israel. 14th August 2011

Jewish youths from around the world take part in the 'Blue and White Flotilla', sailing from Ashkelon to Ashdod, in solidarity with the State of Israel, remembering Gilad Shalit and saluting the Israeli Navy. Ashkelon/Ashdod, Israel. 14th August 2011

A missile launched from Palestinian controlled Gaza hits a small courtyard between four residential buildings. Police bomb squad experts consult safest manner to remove and neutralize warhead as fire fighters standby on scene.

Ruins of a 600 year-old house in the Zikim Kibbutz in the southern part of Israel. Located in the northern Negev desert, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.

Ultra-Orthodox Haredim put up a last stand in Jerusalem protesting an already lost battle against removal of graves from Ashkelon Barzilay Hospital construction site. Jerusalem, Israel. 16/05/2010.

There was tension on the border between Israel and Gaza following a number of airstrikes by the Israeli military, and rocket attacks fired from Palestinian militants in the Gaza strip into southern Israel. Ashkelon. 20th August 2011

The IDF has closed the Kerem Shalom crossing following rocket fire at Ashkelon. Rockets hit the outskirts of Ashkelon; Grad rockets also hit roads in the southern city's industrial zone for the first time since Operation Pillar of Defence.

Israel targeted two buildings in Gaza used by Hamas militants as a training facility, Palestinian security officials said. Gaza militants had fired a rocket into the Israeli city of Ashkelon earlier in the day. Gaza, Palestinian Territory. 30/07/2010

More than 80 rockets fired from Hamas-ruled territory following the targeted killing of top commander Jabari; Grads hit Beersheba, Ashdod; Ashkelon was also targeted and as many as 27 rockets were intercepted.

Asdoth is hit by Grad Rockets, as Israeli sirens were sounded in Ashkelon and Ashdod as well. Over 20 people have been killed and more than 160 others injured in the new wave of Israeli attacks since November 14.

I have spent a month down in south western Israel covering the Idf operation in Gaza from the Israeli side here are some photos from my time down there, many more available.

Almost two-million children returned to school despite a new wave of Palestinian terror threats that could interrupt the calm. Police deployed near schools nationwide but scarce manpower will not allow deployment for long. Israel. 1st September 2011

Israelis who lost loved ones to terror attacks like Shalom Rahum, whose son was shot 28 times, are against the release of 1027 Palestinian prisoners in return for the release of Gilad Shalit, others support the deal. Reshon Lezion. 16th October 2011

Israeli developed Iron Dome, a short-range projectile interception and destruction system, has been performing beyond expectations with very high success percentages in the past six days of Operation Pillar of Defense.

The Barzilai Hospital with 550 beds has been forced to reduce occupancy to 250, comprising mainly of Pillar of Defense related injuries, due to Palestinian controlled Gaza launched missiles hitting hospital grounds.

Israeli soldiers pack-up Iron Dome anti missile equipment for maintenance before the visit of the Prime Minister of Israel, near the city of Ashkelon.

File Photos: Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired close to 140 rockets into major Israeli cities over 48-hours, after IDF aircraft killed Popular Resistance Committee chief Zuhair al-Qaissi, along with two other members traveling in his car.

Around a hundred protesters came to Downing St to show their support for the more than 1200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails on hunger strike against administrative detention and other issues.

Israeli Air Force reveals it`s short,medium and long range anti missile systems.The Hetz,Iron Dome,David's Sling and Patriot are defences at their disposal and apparently helped shoot down missiles fired from the Gaza strip last month.12th May 2011.