Palestinian militants in Gaza fire 2 rockets at southern and central Israel: IDF

Palestinian militants in Gaza reportedly fired two rockets at sourn and central Israel on intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, Israel Defense Forces said.

One of rockets triggered sirens in sourn city of Ashdod and throughout Shfela region of central Israel, while or fell outside of Ashdod limits and set off alarms, army said. 

According to army, Iron Dome anti-missile defence system was activated to prevent rockets, however, it was t mentioned wher interceptions were successful. Thousands of residents rushed for shelters upon hearing rocket sirens and sounds of 'powerful explosions'. re were immediate reports of injuries or dam, however.

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rocket was fired around one-year anniversary of killing of Palestinian Islamic Jih commander Baha Abu al-Ata. Abu al-Ata’s death on vember 12, 2019, triggered a battle kwn as Operation Black Belt between Israel and Palestinian militants. 

Last week also marked anniversary of an intelligence operation by Israeli Defence Force that h t gone to plan on vember 11, 2018, leing to a huge fire exchange with terror groups in Gaza Strip. Back in vember 2012, a massive, week-long campaign was also launched against Palestinian militant organisation Hamas kwn as Operation Pillar of Defense.

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IDF heightens security

On Wednesday, IDF h heightened alert, sending ditional air defenses to sourn Israel. ditional Iron Dome missile defence batteries were deployed to south and international flights were directed to use Ben Gurion Airport’s rrn paths, away from Gaza Strip.

Abu al-Ata was a prominent member of Iran-backed Palestinian terror group and commander of Al-Quds Briges’ units in rrn Gaza Strip. IDF believed he was personally responsible for several attacks against Israel in months before his death.

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Abu al-Ata and his wife were killed in a precision strike on apartment where he staying in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighbourhood, which was carried out after months of preparation by military.

Palestinian militants are kwn to carry out attacks on anniversaries of such conflicts. Even as Israel is involved in talks with Hamas terror group for a long-term ceasefire agreement, recent weeks have witnessed a slight increase in violence emerging from Gaza.

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