The IDF confirmed on Sunday afternoon that, following sirens that sounded in central Israel, approximately five launches were identified crossing from the southern Gaza Strip.
One of the launches fell in the area of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.
Earlier, rocket sirens had sounded in the central Israel localities of Bitzaron, Gan Yavne, Hatzor, Azrikam, Sde Uziyahu, and Shtulim.
Rockets have been fired off from Gaza less frequency as the IDF has destroyed much of Hamas's terrorist infrastructure and weaponry. It has become especially rare for rockets from the Gaza Strip to be launched at central Israel.
Ashdod's municipality opened public shelters in response to the attacks, putting out in a statement that the decision was "made in accordance with an orderly work plan that was built over the last decade in the Ashdod municipality.
"The procedure requires us to open the shelters and be prepared, and this follows several alarms heard in the settlements near the city in the last hour and rockets fired at them.
"This does not indicate any shooting that is going to come in the direction of Ashdod, but only a precautionary measure and a safety factor depending on the situation."
Israel-Hamas war heats up regional tensions
The launches came as the 'Axis of Resistance' increased threats and attacks against the Jewish state.
Iran has threatened to attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran - which Israel has not taken responsibility for nor denied.
On Israel's northern border, the Hezbollah terror group has also stepped up attacks. A massive rockets barrage was launched at northern Israel on Saturday night and Iran's mission to the United Nations confirmed the terror group would now deliberately target civilian populations.
Later on Sunday, the IDF Spokesperson in Arabic Avichay Adraee called on Khan Yunis residents to evacuate from the southern neighborhoods of the city ahead of IDF operations in the area.
#عاجل ‼️ إلى السكان المتواجدين في أحياء جورت اللوت، المنارة، معن، قيزان النجار، قيزان ابو رشوان، السلام والحشاشمن جديد تطلق حماس والمنظمات الإرهابية الصواريخ من منطقتكم باتجاه دولة اسرائيل.جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي سوف يعمل قريبًا بقوة ضد تلك العناصر.عليكم إخلاء المنطقة بشكل… pic.twitter.com/o2jetXxQpY
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) August 4, 2024