Rocket lands in south after IAF strikes in Gaza
Qassam fired from Gaza hits open area near Sderot early Thursday morning, only hours after IAF strikes weapons production site in Rafah in response to earlier attack on Eshkol Regional Council
A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza landed in an open field near Sderot early Thursday morning, causing no injuries or damage.
The attack came only a few hours after the Israel Air Force struck a weapon manufacturing facility in the Rafah area Wednesday night in response to the firing of a rocket at the Eshkol Regional Council.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed Wednesday night's attack, saying it had targeted a weapons production site, in response to the rocket fire at Israel. IDF sources added that the army views Hamas as responsible for the rocket fire, and that it would respond harshly to any violation of the ceasefire.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also stated Wednesday that Israel would respond to any attack on its territory.
Haim Yalin, head of the Eshkol Regional Council said after the strike: "We expect the government to retaliate rather than exercise restraint, in order to keep the residents safe."
Israeli aircraft struck at tunnels used for smuggling goods and weapons on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Wednesday morning, hours before a US peace envoy was due to arrive in the Jewish state.
Residents of the Gaza town of Rafah and Hamas security officials said some people began to flee their homes in panic as the aircraft struck three times before dawn.
