The Red Dawn alert system failed to identify the rocket launching, but residents said the blast was heard load and clear.
On Tuesday Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter said during a cabinet meeting that "the State of Israel has woken up every day for nearly two months with a 'Good morning, Qassam,' in the Negev."
In response to a question from one of the ministers on Dichter's recommendation on the issue, the internal security minister answered, "We don't need to conquer Gaza, but operations that will create deterrence against the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are required. We must hit where is needed and to charge a price. The government needs to reconsider all of its policies toward Gaza following the continuation of the Qassam attacks."
Defense Minister Amir Peretz responded to Dichter's claims by saying, "It doesn't matter how many Qassam rockets are fired and what organization is firing them; one Qassam is the same as 10 Qassams. Our response to each firing will be unequivocal and harsh."
Peretz added that the IDF is planning a series of operations in the Gaza Strip against the Qassam firings, including targeting warehouses storing weaponry.