Qassam hits Negev, first attack in weeks
Palestinians fire rocket from Gaza into southern Israel scant hours before crowds gather for Mimouna festival celebrations. Last attack was in late March
After more than a fortnight of silence, Gaza's rocket attacks on southern Israel resumed on Wednesday.
The Qassam rocket was fired from northern Gaza in the early evening hours and landed near the border fence in the Eshkol Regional Council. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.
The rocket hit as US President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East landed in Israel. George Mitchell's visit comes amidst strained tensions between Washington and the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry following statements made by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman regarding the invalidity of the Annapolis process.
The attack came just hours before many residents in the area mark the Mimouna festival, a holiday traditionally celebrated by Jews of North African descent.
Traffic is considerably heavy throughout the region in these hours as many make their way from central and northern Israel to celebrate with family and friends.
The last rocket fired from Gaza towards the southern communities was two weeks ago. A woman and a teenage girl were lightly wounded as they rushed to find shelter when the alert sirens sounded.
