October 28, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Two long-range Grad rockets struck Beersheba and two Kassam rockets landed in an open area in southern Israel, threatening a three-day truce.

Israel’s Air Force also targeted and hit a rocket launching site and a squad preparing to fire a rocket towards southern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

Schools were closed throughout Beersheba Sunday, following the Grad rocket attack at about 5:30 a.m. The rockets fell in an open area and caused no damage, according to reports.

The Kassam rockets were fired late Saturday night and caused no damage.

In response, the IDF targeted the rocket launching site, killing one Hamas terrorist belonging to the organization’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. according to the Palestinian Ma’an news agency. 

The Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the Grad rocket fire, saying it was “a warning against continued Israeli aggression,” according to Ynet.

The rocket fire comes three days after Egypt brokered an unofficial ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.

More than 70 rockets and mortars were fired last week from Gaza at southern Israeli communities.

During 2012 more than 610 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip hit Israel, over 150 during the course of October alone, according to the IDF.
 

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