Six Rockets From Gaza Landed in Israel After Period of Relative Calm

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz during a surprise drill. In retaliation Gazans fired six rockets into Israel Sunday evening. Image by Haaretz

By Haaretz/Gili Cohen and Yanir Yagna June 23, 2013

At least six rockets were fired Sunday night from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel, prompting sirens to sound in multiple regions.

One of the rockets landed in Rahat, in the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, a second rocket exploded near Be’er Sheva and a third exploded in the Lachish Regional Council. Three more rockets were fired toward the Ashkelon Regional Council, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.

The rocket fire did not cause injuries nor property damage.

Shortly before midnight on Sunday evening, sirens sounded in the areas of Lehavim and Rahat in the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, which adjoins the north of Be’er Sheva, and in the town of Netivot in the northwestern Negev.

Residents in Lehavim and Rahat reported hearing the reverberations of explosions. A short time later, Israel Police reported that that a rocket had exploded in an open field in the Rahat area.

Following that, shortly after midnight, sirens sounded in the Ashkelon Regional Council, where the Iron Dome battery there intercepted two rockets.

The rocket fire followed a suprise Israel Defense Forces drill that took place on Sunday.

Read more at Haaretz.com.

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