ASHDOD, Israel - Tensions continued to escalate between Israelis and Palestinians, Tuesday, even as Israel's defense forces made moves to stop Hamas from firing more rockets on Israelis.

The move comes after a heavy day of firing, Monday, as Palestinian terrorists fired more than 13 Kassams on western Negev communities, the last one landing in Sderot at midnight.

Click play for more insight from CBN News Terror Analyst Erick Stakelbeck, who just returned from the Middle East.

In order to give residents a 15-second warning against incoming rockets and missiles, The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command linked up the coastal city of Ashdod, just north of Ashkelon, to the Color Red missile warning system.

The move was made in view of military intelligence assessments that the Hamas terror organization has added longer-range Grad-type Katyshua missiles to its cache, putting Ashdod within attack range.

During a visit Monday to oversee the logistical preparations, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai admitted that "the cease-fire is crumbling."

IDF Resumes Counter-Terror Operations

Meanwhile, during a 90-minute private meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at his Jerusalem residence, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asked that Israel adhere to the tadhiyeh with Hamas.

In response to more than 140 rocket and mortar shell attacks in recent weeks, the IDF has resumed limited counter-terror operations near the border. On Tuesday, IDF tanks, accompanied by a bulldozer, leveled land along the border east of Rafah, to uncover explosive devices planted in the area.

Palestinian fired two mortar shells at the troops, with no injuries or property damage.

Also on Monday, Palestinians attacked a Jewish resident of Shavei Shromron as he was driving, wounding him in his legs and abdomen.

Source: Haaretz