Israel gave Sderot priority administrative status. Defense Minister Amir Peretz announced Sunday that the southern Israeli town, which has suffered a surge of Palestinian rocket attacks in recent days, had received a contingency designation expanding the authority of local military officials. Under the 48-hour order, which can be renewed, representatives of the Homefront Command were given special powers including the right to issue back-to-work injunctions to key Sderot public service employees who have fled or taken shelter at home. Sderot’s status is similar to that declared in northern Israeli towns during last year’s Lebanon war, falling short of a full-blown “state of emergency” declaration.
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