Rockets fired by Gaza militants hit southern Israel

Xinhua

text

At least two rockets fired by Gaza militants hit southern Israel late on Wednesday, in a second rocket attack launched from the Palestinian enclave over the past two weeks, Israeli officials said.

A police spokesperson said that two rockets were fired towards the city of Asheklon and a third towards the town of Netivot. The spokesperson added that the rockets apparently fell in open fields, adding that there were no reports of injuries or damages.

A military spokesperson said in a separate statement that only two rockets hit the Jewish state.

Israeli military officials told Channel 10 TV news that the rocket firing was traced to an urban area in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza Strip.

The officials added that Hamas, an Islamist movement that controls Gaza, may not be behind the attack, suggesting the fire was a result of internal struggles between Hamas and a smaller organization.

Last Tuesday, a Gaza rocket landed in the southern community of Gan Yavne, causing no injuries or damages.

In April, a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip landed in the local community of Sha'ar Hanegev, again not causing any damages or injuries. Another rocket landed in November in the Eshkol regional council in the south.

Last August 26, Israel and Hamas reached a fragile ceasefire agreement after a 50-day war in which thousands of rockets were launched to communities throughout Israel.

The war resulted in the deaths of more than 2,200 Palestinians and nearly 80 Israelis and massive destruction to Gaza's infrastructure. Enditem