Two rockets fired from Gaza shot down over southern Israel

Two rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Friday evening were shot down by the Iron Dome anti-missile system. There were no known immediate injuries or damage.

The Israeli military confirmed that the projectiles fired into Israel were intercepted by soldiers operating the air defense system.

Sirens warning of the incoming rockets blared in several southern Israeli communities near Gaza, sending residents into shelters. The Red Alert sirens sounded in Ashkelon, Zikim, Netiv Ha’asara and nearby towns in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.

Last month, two rockets fired from Gaza struck open areas along the coast — one near the city of Ashdod and the other on Palmachim Beach, south of Tel Aviv — causing no significant damage or injuries.

Soldiers operating the Iron Dome air defense system attempted to shoot down the rocket fired toward Palmachim Beach firing at least two interceptor missiles at the projectile, but did not shoot it down. Fragments of an interceptor missile landed in the nearby city of Bat Yam, causing minor damage.

The rocket fire last month came days after the one-year anniversary of the killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata.

Israel has fought three large campaigns against terror groups in the Strip since Hamas took control of the area in 2007, along with dozens of smaller exchanges of fire.