Sirens sounded as missile launched at southern Israel
Palestinian media reports say Israel fired back with artillery, targeting Hamas outposts in the Gaza Strip.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: AUGUST 8, 2017 23:39Rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. [File](photo credit: REUTERS)
Rocket sirens were sounded this evening in the coastal city of Ashkelon as a missile was launched at the city from Gaza. According to the IDF the rocket landed in an open area, causing no injuries or damage.A spokesman for Hof Ashkelon regional council said that alarms were also sounded in the nearby villages of Zikim and Carmia. Military forces were dispatched to scan the area.Palestinian media reported that the Israeli Air Force fired artillery at the source of the rocket fire in the northern Gaza Strip.While terrorism has plagued Israel over this summer, much of it has been centered around Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, with only a handful of projectiles being launched from Gaza. The last rocket was launched on July 22. Pieces of the rocket landed in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council.In April, rocket sirens were sounded in the Eshkol Regional Council. The attack was claimed by a local ISIS affiliate, according to the group's media outlet, Amaq. While no physical injuries were reported, one person was treated for shock.This summer marks three years since Operation Protective Edge, in which thousands of rockets, mortars and other projectiles were launched from Gaza towards Israel and the IDF caused extensive damage with air and ground offensives, aiming to eliminate the terrorist threat. The war lasted 50 days and saw 68 soldiers, and five civilians killed on the Israeli sides and upwards of 2,000 killed on the Palestinian side, more than half claimed by Israel to be combatants.Since then Israel has held Hamas responsible for all fire from Gaza and customarily reacts by carrying out air strikes on the group's bases and infrastructure.
![Rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. [File] (photo credit: REUTERS)](https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_537,w_822/256426 "Rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. [File]")