BICOM

Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defence system intercepted five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip late last night, prompting Israel’s Air Force (IAF) to respond with precision air strikes.

The rocket barrage was fired in the direction of the Israeli city of Ashkelon just before 2am, triggering warning sirens in the city and sending residents to find shelter.  Five rockets were intercepted successfully, but reports indicate that at one additional rocket landed in an open area. No injuries or damage was reported.

In response, Israel’s Air Force struck four strategic sites in the northern Gaza Strip, including a weapons manufacturing facility, a concealed rocket launcher and a weapons storage site. IDF spokesman Peter Lerner commented, “The IDF response was precise, swift and efficient in eliminating terror capabilities that only exist in order to terrorize, kill and maim Israelis.” According to Ynet, Palestinian sources said a woman and four children were injured in the air strikes, although not seriously.

Last night’s rocket fire was the largest single salvo to be fired into southern Israel for some time, although it follows a steady trickle of rockets launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip over the past few weeks. This comes after a year of relative quiet on the Gaza border following Operation Pillar of Defence in November 2012.

Earlier this week, shortly after the funeral of Ariel Sharon, two rockets landed in open areas just several miles from Sharon’s grave. Earlier this month, the IAF carried out strategic air strikes after a rocket landed in the Western Negev region. Meanwhile, last month, two rockets landed near Ashkelon and an IDF border patrol came under fire. In addition, a Palestinian sniper killed Salah Shukri Abu Latyef, an Israel Defence Ministry contract worker who was carrying out repairs on the border fence. The IDF struck strategic targets in the Gaza Strip in response, which reportedly resulted in the death of a Palestinian toddler.