Rockets fired on Israel from Gaza on second day of Obama visit

JERUSALEM (JTA) — At least four rockets were fired from Gaza at southern Israel.

Two of the rockets fired Thursday morning landed in Sderot, damaging one home. The other two rockets are believed to have landed in Gaza.

The attack came on the second day of President Obama’s three-day visit to Israel, and occurred hours before he traveled to Ramallah in the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

It is not believed that Israel will retaliate during Obama’s visit, according to reports.

“The Israeli response will come at the right place and the right time,” an unnamed Israeli official was quoted as telling several Israeli newspapers.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack. It is the second rocket attack on southern Israel since an Egyptian-brokered truce ended the Gaza conflict, Israel’s Pillar of Defense operation, in November, and the second in a month.

“We condemn violence against civilians regardless of its source, including rocket firing,” the official Palestinian Wafa news agency quoted Abbas as saying.  “We are in favor of maintaining mutual and comprehensive calm in Gaza.”
 

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