Qassam landing (archives)
Photo: Courtesy of Eshkol Regional Council
Qassam explodes near Ashkelon; no injuries
Siren sounds near southern city of Ashkelon, followed by explosion; no injuries or damage reported
A Qassam rocket exploded Monday evening in an open field near Ashkelon. No injuries or damage were reported.
A siren was sounded throughout the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council followed by explosive sounds.
Two weeks ago, a false alarm stirred panic in Ashkelon, following months of calm. At first the IDF Spokesperson's Office reported that Palestinians fired a rocket toward Israel, but later it turned out to be a false alarm.
The last genuine alarm in Ashkelon was heard in mid-September, when a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and exploded in an industrial area in the city's south.
The rocket fire took place amid direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, which have since been called off.
Two weeks ago, Palestinians launched within 24 hours a Grad Missile toward the southern city of Ofakim, as well as two Qassam rockets and seven mortar shells toward the Gaza vicinity communities. Several of the mortar shells contained phosphorus.
In response, IDF forces attacked targets in the Strip, including smuggling tunnels. Six Palestinians were reportedly injured during one of the strikes.
Following the second IDF strike, most Hamas activists evacuated the organization's headquarters and bases in the Gaza Strip, fearing another Israeli strike.
Hamas officials were reportedly acting to convince armed groups responsible for launching rockets and mortar shells at Israel to stop their activities.
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