Two rockets fired from Gaza into Israel despite announced ceasefire

Two rockets fired from Gaza into Israel despite announced ceasefire

2011-04-16 02:08:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

ASHKELON, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- Two rockers on Friday were launched from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel despite the announced ceasefire, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed.

The rocket attacks were launched into towards the southern cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod after several days of calm following Saturday's announced ceasefire. No casualties were reported.

On Friday evening, two rockets hit open territory without causing any damage. Over the past month, more than 100 projectiles were fired from Gaza into Israel, including 12 Grad rockets and dozens of Qassam rockets and mortar shells.

Violence escalated last week after an Israeli school bus was attack. In retaliation, IDF strikes in Gaza resulted in the death of five militants. Last Friday, 3 Palestinian civilians were killed in IDF airstrikes during an operation targeting suspected terrorists in a civilian neighborhood in southern Gaza.

On Sunday, Egyptian and United Nations mediators achieved an informal ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militants. Violence had substantially diminished for five days until Friday's attacks.

On Wednesday, Israel announced the planned purchase of four additional Iron Dome anti-rocket batteries that will be operational in two years. The request of Defense Minister Ehud Barak came after the anti-missile system shot down eight rockets in a week.

In March, Israel deployed its first Iron Dome missile defense system in light of the recent rocket attacks in southern Israel. The system was designed to protect Israel's southern communities from rocket threats coming from the Gaza Strip.

The Iron Dome system uses sophisticated radar, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, to track incoming missiles, intercept and destroy them away from its targets. It also includes Tamir missile interceptors.

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