BICOM

Israel’s Air Force struck concealed rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip early this morning, in response to a rocket attack on southern Israel yesterday evening.

Just before 10pm local time, air raid sirens were sounded in Sderot and the Shar Hanegev region as two rockets were fired at the area from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. One rocket reportedly fell inside the Gaza Strip, while the other apparently landed in an open area in Shar Hanegev without causing injuries or damage. The rocket attack was launched as Israel released twenty six Palestinian prisoners, agreed by Israel’s cabinet in order to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks today. Fifteen of the prisoners were Gaza-based members of the Fatah faction of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

In response to the rocket attack, Israel’s Air Force early this morning reported direct hits on concealed rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip. An IDF statement said, “The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and security forces and will continue to act against anyone initiating terror against the state of Israel.” The statement added that Israel holds Hamas responsible for such acts of aggression emanating from Gaza. Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since violently overthrowing Fatah in 2007.

IDF spokesman Peter Lerner commented, “The IDF air strikes were conducted in response to the rocket launched at the civilians living in the Shar Hanegev regional council yesterday [Tuesday] evening.”

Periodic rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has punctuated relative calm in the area after a ceasefire brought an end to Operation Pillar of Defence in November, during which Israel sought to stop an increased rate of rocket fire from Gaza on Israeli population centres. However, a barrage of six Gaza rockets was fired in June while two Kassam rockets were launched into southern Israel last month.