Rockets hit southern Israel, none injured
Fire comes amid intensification in peace talk efforts between Israel, Palestinians and US
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Two Kassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel Thursday night, shattering several weeks of calm in the south.
Both rockets hit open areas in the Eshkol region. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
The rocket fire came as talks over restarting peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority intensified. Reports indicated that the two sides, being brought together by the US, may be willing to reconvene talks on the basis of the pre-1967 lines.
The Palestinian Authority convened a meeting Thursday to decide on restarting talks, and was expected to hold a second meeting Friday to make a final decision. Both sides denied that talks were imminent.
Earlier in the week, US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters that there had been a significant closing of the gap between the sides, which have not held talks in earnest since 2010.
Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has mostly tailed off since November, in the wake of an eight-day offensive launched by Israel to stem the missile volleys.
Much attention in the area has shifted to the Sinai desert over the last two weeks, where militants and Egyptian security forces have been locked in intense battles since the ouster of president Mohammed Morsi.
On Wednesday, an Egyptian general accused Hamas of terrorizing Egypt and said the army had intercepted 19 Grad missiles headed for Cairo, reportedly supplied by Hamas.
The Times of Israel Community.