JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Israeli government is planning to escalate its attacks on Hamas and other terrorist groups slamming southern Israel with rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

The security Cabinet decided at a three-hour meeting on Monday to steadily increase Israel’s military retaliation, according to reports.

The Israel Defense Forces said it was calling up some 1,500 reserves in preparation for the expanded operations near the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Hamas claimed responsibility for dozens of rocket attacks — estimated at more than 40 by the IDF — that struck southern Israel from 8 to 9 Monday night. The bombing continued throughout the night, causing damage in several communities.

The Iron Dome defense system intercepted 12 rockets from the attacks — seven above Ashdod and five over Netivot — the IDF said. Another rocket was intercepted later over Beersheba.

Residents in southern Israeli communities within 25 miles of the Gaza border were advised to stay within 15 seconds of a shelter or protected room. It also ordered the municipalities of Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba, as well as the Southern regional councils, to open and prepare public bomb shelters.

Summer camps and special education programs were canceled Tuesday in Ashdod.

The IDF denied reports that one of its airstrikes had killed six Hamas terrorists in a secret tunnel, saying Hamas operatives had collapsed the tunnel themselves by mishandling explosives intended to attack Israel.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday night called for an immediate end to Israeli military strikes on Gaza, calling on the international community to help put a stop to the attacks, according to reports.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a regular briefing with reporters Monday afternoon denounced the rocket barrage and said Israel has the right to defend its citizens.