10 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in southern Israel Friday, the latest in a spate of rocket attacks in the past 24 hours, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Office. Three rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council shortly after 8:00 p.m., and one was fired towards the Shaar Hangev Regional council. In the afternoon, an Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system battery intercepted one projectile fired toward Ashdod. Two others were fired shortly after 5:00 p.m. towards the Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. Air sirens rang in Ashdod and the surrounding areas minutes before. No one was injured and no damage was caused in the ensuing blasts. RELATED:Hamas to Egypt: Pressure Israel over Gaza strikes IAF strikes tunnel used to infiltrate into Israel'Egypt working to restore Gaza, Israel calm'In the morning, tworockets exploded in the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council shortly after 12 p.m. and another in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council around 9 a.m. No damage or injuries were reported.Overnight, the Israel Air Force struck targets connected with terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip in response to rockets Thursday, the IDF Spokesman's Office said in a statement. IAF aircraft recorded direct hits on a center of terrorist activity in southern Gaza, as well as an additional terror target in northern Gaza.The IDF reiterated in the statement that it holds Hamas responsible for all terror activity emanating from Gaza. The IDF maintained that it will continue to respond forcefully to attacks on Israeli citizens.Palestinian medical sources said that one civilian was killed and 13 others were wounded, including women and children, in the air strikes.
The IDF said Friday that it regretted any harm to uninvolved civilians, which it said was caused by the presence of explosives and weapons at the targeted sites, including rockets. The airstrikes, the IDF Spokesman said in a statement, were accurate and direct hits on terror targets were recorded.The statement laid responsibility for the casualties on Hamas, "which chooses to operate in the heart of civilian population centers and uses human shields."The earlier Palestinian rocket attacks on the South came in response to a previous Israel Air Force strike which killed two suspected terrorists traveling in a car near Gaza City.The IDF said the men had been in the midst of plotting an attack against Israel to be launched from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.Anticipating retaliation, the army raised the level of alert along the Gaza border and warned southern residents to remain indoors. Eight rockets were fired Thursday, but no casualties or damage were reported in any of the attacks.Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
IDF says 10 rockets fired at southern Israel from Gaza
Iron dome intercepts projectile fired at Ashdod; Palestinians say civilian killed, 13 wounded in IDF response to 10 rockets fired into southern Israel from Gaza.
