More than a dozen rockets from Gaza strike Israel, damaging homes

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — More than a dozen rockets fired from Gaza struck Israel in one morning, damaging homes and farmland.

The rockets, some reports say 16, were fired Monday morning. Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attacks. It is the first time in two years, since the end of Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, that the group has taken responsibility for a rocket attack.

Monday morning’s attacks came after Israel’s Air Force bombed a cell in Gaza about to launch a rocket, which belonged to Hamas’ military wing. The IAF attack, in retaliation for rockets shot earlier in the day into Gaza, killed at least one Hamas operative.

Rockets that exploded in a residential neighborhood in southern Israel caused damage to at least two homes, and a farm in the area also suffered damage, according to reports.

Monday is the last day of school for Israeli children in elementary school, and schools in the area remained open.

Since the beginning of June more than 70 rockets have been launched from Gaza at Israel, with at least 40 hitting southern Israel. The Iron Dome anti-missile system has intercepted at least seven rockets heading for populated Israeli areas.