In false alarm, 2 rocket alert sirens blare near Gaza
IDF says it's investigating what set off incoming missile alarm systems in southern Israel
Within minutes of one another, rocket alert sirens blared in two Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, in what the army said was a false alarm.
Just after 10:25 a.m., sirens went off in the area of Netiv Ha’asara and Yad Mordechai, north of the Gaza Strip. Minutes later, another incoming alert siren went off in the are of Or Haner and Erez, northeast of the Strip.
Approximately 10 minutes after the sirens sounded, the army said they appeared to have been a false alarm.
The army did not say what set off the system.
Tensions have been high along the Gaza border, due to severe electricity cuts to the Strip and internal squabbles between the Palestinian Authority and Gaza’s rulers, the Hamas terrorist group.
Last month, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel, not causing any injuries or damage. The Israeli military said the projectile landed in open area in the Sha’ar Hanegev region.
The launch was claimed by a salafist group linked to the Islamic State terror group, according to Hebrew media reports.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.