BICOM

Israeli aircrafts targeted weapons factories in Gaza this morning, following Qassam rocket attacks on Israeli civilian communities in the western Negev yesterday evening. Two rockets were fired last night from Gaza at the area of the Sdot Negev regional council. The alert was sounded at 10.15 pm. Residents received messages advising them to enter enclosed spaces. No injuries were reported. A house was lightly damaged after a rocket landed near it. The second rocket fell in an open area. Sdot Negev Regional Council head Meir Yifrach, speaking to reporters after the attack, noted that assessments have suggested an increase in violence in the build-up to the expected Palestinian unilateral bid for independence in September. Shaar Hanegev Regional Council head, Alon Schuster also noted the rise in violence in recent weeks, after a period of restraint.

The Israeli response rapidly followed the launching of the rockets. Two targets identified as weapons manufacturing mills in northern Gaza were hit. The Israel Air Force confirmed that both sites were destroyed. No injuries were reported from Gaza. An additional rocket was fired from Gaza at the Negev a few hours after the attack. No injuries were reported. Israeli spokesmen said that they hold Hamas responsible for the firing, regardless of which specific group may have carried it out. As the de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip, Hamas is seen by Israel as responsible for controlling the actions of smaller organisations, and has shown itself able to crack down on and restrain organisations engaged in attacks when it wishes to do so.