Ashdod Travelers guide

37 1992. (Up until then, the railway serviced the port only). In the early 2000's the wave of terror that hit Israel, did not leave Ashdod untouched. On the 14th of March 2004 the city experienced another deadly terrorist attack. This time it was a double suicide bombing at the Port of Ashdod, resulting in the death of ten city residents, including eight port employees. The Hamas and Fatah organizations took responsibility on the attack. In 2004, Ashdod, which suffered from smog generated by the activity of the power stations since its establishment, switched to natural gas , which reduced the city's air pollution significantly. In July 2005, the " Jubilee Port " named for the late Rafael Eitan was dedicated, doubling the operating capacity of the Ashdod Port. In the municipal elections held in November 2008, Dr. Yehiel Lasri was elected mayor of Ashdod. About a month later, the Ad Halom interchange on Route 4 was inaugurated, opening another quick entrance into the city. Following the incessant rocket fire from the Gaza strip toward settlements in the Western Negev, operation " Cast Lead " started on 27th of December 2008. With the attacks on the Gaza Strip, terrorist attacks expanded to the settlements in the south and for the first time Ashdod was hit by Grad rockets. One of those rockets even caused the death of a female resident of the city. In March 2012, as rocket fire on the city resumed, Ashdod received reinforcement in the form of an " Iron Dome " battery that was placed close to the city, and managed to intercept most of the rockets. In November of that same year, the IDF resumed it activities in the Gaza strip, this time as part of operation "Pillar of Defense", during which over 190 rockets were fired at the city. In the municipal elections held in October 2013, Dr. Lasri was elected to serve another term as the mayor of Ashdod. On July 8th, 2014, following an increase of the firing from A little history