The Jerusalem Post is reporting that four people were killed when a mortar shell hit a group of Israelis in the Eshkol region bordering Gaza.

At least four people were killed and several others seriously wounded in a mortar attack in the Eshkol Regional Council, next to the Gaza border, late Monday afternoon.

Ten people in total suffered harm from the attack. Emergency teams evacuated at lease nine people to Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba. Four of those injured were airlifted to the hospital.

Unlike rockets, mortar shells do not set off “red alert” sirens, and Iron Dome batteries are not set up to counter them. Mortar attacks from Gaza have continued even during announced ceasefires.

4 Israeli civilians killed, at least 6 wounded after Palestinian mortar fire on Eshkol http://t.co/HE5vomRZf2 pic.twitter.com/yemo63lYbE

— Israel in Ireland (@IsraelinIreland) July 28, 2014

BREAKING PHOTO: IDF Chopper on scene in Eshkol evacuating many injured in Mortar attack from Gaza – Ynet pic.twitter.com/MRwYjnNzTN

— Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) July 28, 2014

[Photo: JewishNewsOne / YouTube ]