Eleven Rocket Attacks From Gaza Hit Southern Israel

The Israeli military has announced, early on Sunday, that a total of eleven rockets and mortar shells were fired from Gaza by Palestinian militants and hit several cities in southern Israel.

Most of these rockets landed and exploded in open areas without causing injuries or damage, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahonoth quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying. It added that the attacks came in the wake of Egypt’s announcement of reaching a cease-fire agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis that enters effect early on Sunday.

A high-ranked Egyptian official announced late on Saturday that Israel and Palestinian factions agreed on a cease-fire announcement to begin at 6:00 AM on Sunday, noted the Israeli spokesman.

Moreover, Israeli military spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai told Radio Israel Sunday that several international organizations along with Egypt are currently working on calming the situations in southern Israel, pointing out that despite these efforts, the Israeli military will continue to intercept rocket attacks on Israeli soil.

Residents of Beersheba woke to the sound of sirens throughout the city followed by sounds of explosions, Yedioth Ahonoth reported. The paper added that two rockets landed in an open area outside the city and one exploded in an open field north of Ashkelon.

Also, one rocket landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council and another exploded in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported, the Israeli newspaper said.

A Grad missile fired from Gaza Strip hit a nine-story building in Ashdod town of southern Israel, Saturday evening.

Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Meanwhile, Radio Israel reported today that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed strong response to Palestinian rocket attacks.