Backtracking, army says rocket from Gaza landed in Israel

The IDF said Sunday that a rocket fired by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip at the Ashkelon coast overnight had landed in an open area of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council.

The Israeli army earlier Sunday said the projectile had exploded in mid-air.

There were no injuries or damage as a result of the incident, the army said in a statement.

The IDF said the rocket alert siren was not activated.

The attempted attack came amid escalating violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where past tensions have often led to conflagrations in the Gaza Strip.

At least two Palestinians were killed Saturday in clashes as demonstrations continued against the installation of metal detectors at the Temple Mount.

The metal detectors were installed after three Arab Israelis shot dead two Israeli police officers just outside the Temple Mount compound on July 14 using guns they had smuggled into the holy site.

Saturday’s violence came a day after three Palestinians were killed in clashes. Palestinian medical officials said all three died of gunshot wounds. Israel said it was investigating the reports.

Later Friday, a Palestinian terrorist stabbed to death three family members at their Shabbat dinner table in the Halamish settlement in the West Bank.