Qassam hits southern community; no injuries

A Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Friday morning exploded within the southern Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. It was the fourth rocket fired at Israel in the past 24 hours. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Two days ago, a mortar shell landed near a kindergarten in the same community, only half an hour before the children's arrival. According to local residents, there is a "false reality" of calm in the area while the firing incidents continue.

"The only thing we can do right now is maintain routine, with a heightened state of alert in regards to the situation, but we won't stop living because of this," a community resident told Ynet.

She noted that the holiday celebrations would be held as planned, in accordance with the security situation. "We know how to manage the Qassams. We don't get alerts about the mortar shells, but we are prepared to maintain our routine life, including the holiday parties."

Community hit by mortar shell Wednesday (Photo: Roee Idan)

On Thursday night, Israel Air Force planes struck a series of targets in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources reported of several people injured.

The army confirmed operations in Gaza late Thursday, saying that IDF aircraft operating in cooperation with the Shin Bet security service struck terror targets in the northern Gaza Strip as well as a smuggling tunnel in southern Gaza. The targets were hit accurately, the army said.

The targets hit by Israel included the Ansar compound in Gaza City, home to Hamas headquarters and government offices, Palestinian sources said.

The IDF said the attacks were a response to rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel in the last two days.

Two rockets landed in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council in the evening hours, without causing any injuries. Earlier in the day, a rocket exploded within the Sdot Negev Regional Council.

The Hamas government clarified recently that it would do all in its power to thwart the firing of rockets from the Strip. According to reports, several Islamic Jihad men were arrested and injured while planning to launch rockets into Israel.

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