Rocket fire follows IAF strike in Gaza; targets hit include terrorist activity centers in northern, southern Strip. Rockets explode in open areas; no injuries or damage reported
The Color Red rocket alert system sounded in Gaza vicinity communities several times on Sunday night and Monday morning, as 20 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
Earlier, Israel Air Force jets bombs targets in the Strip in response to the firing of rockets at the city of Beersheba on Sunday.
All rockets landed in open areas without causing injuries or damage.
Hamas' military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. In a statement, Hamas said that the fire was "in response to the continued Israeli aggression in Gaza."
Beersheba residents had a quiet night, and the municipality decided to resume school in the city Monday morning after children were forced to stay at home on Sunday.
Results of IDF strike in Gaza (Photo: AFP)
The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said IAF jets attacked terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday night in response to the rocket fire, including a terror activity center and a rocket launching area in the northern Strip, as well as a terror activity center in the south.
According the IDF, all targets were accurately hit.
According to Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip, some of the bombed targets were in open areas and included two posts belonging to Hamas' military wing. No injuries were reported.
At least seven rockets were fired from Gaza to the Beersheba area on Saturday night, all hitting open areas without causing injuries or damage. School was canceled in the southern city on Sunday, and studies are expected to resume Monday, the Beersheba Municipality said.
During a tour of the Iron Dome battery in Ahskelon last Wednesday together with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to complete the fortification of 1,700 houses located 4.5 to 7 kilometers (2.8-4.35 miles) from the Gaza border. Netanyahu's announcement was made on the backdrop of the recent round of escalation, which saw more than 75 rocket fired at Gaza vicinity communities.
As part of the preparations for the fortification proposal, Defense Ministry representatives expressed their reservations over the project's budget, stating that a significant part of the sum – NIS 77 million ($20 million) – should be taken from other sources rather than from the Defense Ministry budget.
