Rocket from Gaza explodes in Israeli territory

A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open field in Israel Wednesday night. There were no casualites in the attack and no damage was reported.

The rocket landed in the Eshkol Regional Council of the Western Negev. Local residents said no warning sirens had sounded prior to the explosion.

Security officials said the projectile had fallen near the border fence, possibly explaining the lack of sirens.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.

Rocket fire from Gaza has mostly stopped since Israel reached a ceasefire with Hamas-led fighters in the Strip after last summer’s war. However, southern Israel has still been subjected to sporadic rocket fire over recent months, much of it from Salafi groups chafing under Hamas rule.

Several such rocket attacks occurred earlier this month. The official policy of the Israel Defense Forces is to retaliate to attacks, since it holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire from the Strip.