VIDEO - IDF delays entry into northern Gaza Strip, but fire continues: The Israel Air Force struck the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry building in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning, eyewitnesses said.
The Air Force also struck Gaza City offices belonging to Fatah and an arms factory used by Hamas to store and manufacture weapons, the army reported.
Earlier, the Israel Defence Forces said it had fired missiles at sites in the southern Gaza Strip used by terror cells and routes leading to the sites. Israel Defense Forces officials reported that the strike was carried out following the rocket fire at Israeli communities.
Palestinian sources reported Thursday evening that two power stations were hit by artillery shells, causing a black out.
Meanwhile, six Qassam rockets fired Thursday from the northern Gaza Strip landed in the western Negev. Two of the rockets landed near the industrial zone south of Ashkelon, narrowly missing a strategic site. Two rockets were fired at Sderot, one landing near a school's gymnasium.
The other two rockets landed near Kibbutz Mavkiim. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
Ashkelon residents reported that another rocket landed in an open field south of the city. Police are conducting searches in the area.
Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket at Sderot Thursday morning. The rocket landed near the city's cemetery. Two people were treated for shock.
IDF shells Gaza
The IDF fired over 400 artillery shells at northern and southern Gaza on Thursday.
The Red Dawn alert system was activated near Netiv Haasara on Thursday, disrupting a Bar Mitzvah ceremony attended by 200 people.
"When we heard Red Dawn there was a shock but we succeeded to see the trail of a rocket fired at Ashkelon. Unfortunately, we are used to it and at the exception of a handful of people who came from outside, most stayed in place and carried on with the event," a guest told Ynet.
Qassam attacks have been taking place as IDF troops remain in southern Gaza and large troops remain poised in the north of the tiny strip awaiting the go-ahead for an incursion.
Plans to send troops into northern Gaza on Thursday was called off in the afternoon to give a chance to diplomatic efforts to release kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Policemen injured
As part of Operation Summer Rains, the IDF renewed artillery fire at Qassam launch pads in northern Gaza, which were halted after the killing of the Ghalia family on a Gaza beach.
Two Palestinian policemen were injured Thursday by shrapnel from artillery shells fired at a National Security building in northern Gaza.
Navy ships shelled the northern Gaza Strip to prevent terrorists from transferring the kidnapped soldier from one hiding place to another.
Shmulik Haddad contributed to this report
First published: 21:48, 06.29.6