WarSclerotic

Overnight, two rockets exploded in unpopulated areas in Sdot Negev Regional Council, causing no injuries or damage to property. Alarm sirens sounded in Ashkelon, Netivot and additional communities in vicinity of the Gaza Strip.

The rockets were fired from the Deir al-Balah area in Gaza.  An organization of extreme Islamic Salafi that has ties with the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting. The rocket fire was a response to the execution of an IS terrorist by Hamas in Gaza on Tuesday. Nonetheless, IDF held Hamas responsible for the fire.

The terror group, which calls itself the Omar Brigades, issued a statement, “We are continuing with our jihad against the Jews, the enemies of Allah, and no one will be able to deter us.”  Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported that the airstrike targets were two camps belonging to Hamas.

According to reports in Palestinian websites, Gaza residents said they heard loud explosions and Israeli battle jets hovering above the Gaza Strip. Sources in Gaza told Reuters that damage has been caused but that there were no casualties.

In recent days, battles are taking place between Hamas and groups sympathetic with the Islamic State in Gaza. Arab media reported that IS supporters were killed in heavy clashes in the neighborhood of Sheikh Radwan. It has also been reported that high-ranking Salafi member Saber Siam was eliminated by a bomb attached to his car.

Despite the resumed fire, the Home Front Command has not issued any special security instructions for the residents of Southern Israel.