(JNS.org) January saw a dramatic increase in Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza, according to the latest figures released by the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF said Gaza terrorists have launched 28 rockets at Israel since the beginning of 2014. This nearly triples the monthly rocket fire directed at Israel during the last six months of 2013. Of the 28 rockets, 14 landed in southern Israel and five were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, said the IDF. The increased Gaza rocket fire is the latest growing threat for southern Israel. Terrorists operating in Egypt’s unstable Sinai Peninsula have also targeted Israel with rockets.

Meanwhile, the head of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate, Major General Aviv Kochavi, said the threat of rockets and missiles from Israel’s enemies is one of the greatest challenges Israel faces today. “We call this period in time the ‘Era of Fire,’ in light of the amount of missiles and rockets we face as a constant threat. There are about 170,000 rockets and missiles that threaten Israel,” Kochavi said last week. Despite a decline in the power of Arab states that surround it, Israel still faces threats from terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, emphasized Kochavi. “The state of Israel is surrounded 360 degrees with active enemies,” he said. “The conventional threats have not disappeared.”