The Qassam attacks emanating from northern Gaza are continuing despite talks of a possible hudna (ceasefire)between the armed Palestinian factions and Israel. A Qassam rocket fired Sunday afternoon from the Strip landed near a factory in the industrial park south of Ashkelon.
Earlier, three Qassams landed in the western Negev. No injuries or damage were reported in any of the incidents.
Later Sunday evening, a Qassam rocket landed in Sderot near a building, but did not explode. Another rocket fired from Gaza at approximately the same time landed in an open field. No injuries or damage were reported in both incidents.
Factory hit (Photo: Amir Cohen)
The Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack on Ashkelon, and a spokesman for the group told ynet that the rocket fired was an improved "al-Quds" model.
Rocket fire began noon Sunday as two Qassams landed in open fields within the Eshkol regional council. No injuries or damage were reported. Three hours later a Qassam fired by Palestinians in Gaza landed near a kibbutz in Shaar Hanegev regional council.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak
estimatedon Sunday that “Iron Dome ”anti-rocket system would be fully functional in two-and-a-half years' time.
The government is expected to invest some NIS 811 million ($207 million) in the system's development in the next five years. The "Iron Dome" is being developed by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems and is capable of intercepting Qassam rockets as well as short-range ground-to-ground missiles currently employed by Palestinian terror groups in Gaza.
Ali Waked contributed to report