'Islamic Jihad vows to send rockets deeper into Israel'

Terror group says it will extend rocket range; 2 Islamic Jihad members killed in IAF strike, Palestinian report says.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
Hours after Palestinian sources reported that the IAF killed two Islamic Jihad operatives in the Gaza Strip, the terrorist group vowed to extend the range of their rocket capabilities, sending projectiles deeper into Israeli territory, Israel Radio reported Thursday.
According to Islamic Jihad, a small terrorist group with roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, it would triple the number of Israelis affected by rocket attacks.RELATED:IDF strikes targets in Gaza in response to rocket fire 'PA silence over terror raises questions about statehood'A ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza seemed distant Thursday evening as the violence in the south of the country continued with at least 15 rockets and mortar shells exploding in Israeli territory.
The Code Red siren was heard throughout the Eshkol and Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Councils and in Ashkelon as 15 rockets and mortar shells fell throughout those areas, the IDF Spokesman's Office said in a statement.
No injuries were reported in Thursday's attacks, but there was damage caused to a building in the Erez border crossing at the Gaza border.
In response to the building damage at Erez, the IAF struck a rocket-launching pad in the northern Gaza Strip, the spokesman's statement said.
Palestinians sources said the IAF killed two Palestinians when a missile struck their motorcycle while they were riding in the northern Gaza Strip. It was unclear whether this was the same missile strike as the IDF Spokesperson's Office announced.
While the IDF issued no comment on the strike, a medical source in Gaza said that one of the victims was identified as Salim Khaled al-Arabid, Ma'an reported. Another Palestinian source said the riders were members of Islamic Jihad's militant wing.
At least 20 rockets have exploded in Israel since Tuesday night. A nine-month-old baby was injured yesterday in the Ashkelon area when a rocket exploded on a car nearby, causing hand wounds.