The Israel Air Force bombed two Hamas weapons factories in northern Gaza early Sunday morning in retaliation for a missile attack on the coastal city of Ashkelon Saturday night.
The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system intercepted the missile, which was headed straight for the heavily-populated city.
The Color Red incoming rocket alert siren activated in a number of other southern Israeli communities in the Ashkelon regional council district as well.
No one was physically injured and no property damage from falling shrapnel was reported.
This was the second rocket attack on southern Israel in as many days, along with numerous attempts to infiltrate into Israeli territory.
“The IDF holds Hamas responsible for any act of aggression from the Gaza Strip,” said IDF Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Peter Lerner. “This weekend we have seen clear incitement encouraging the breach of Israel’s sovereignty, violent confrontation against Israelis and threatening the residence of southern Israel.
“The IDF will continue to act, preempt and defeat those that plot to harm the civilians of Israel.”
An Iron Dome anti-missile defense battery was also deployed Friday in Be’er Sheva.
The rocket attack aimed at Ashkelon came after a day in which Gaza Arabs were shot by IDF soldiers after a mob stormed the security fence along Israel’s southern border.
At least six of the terrorists attempting to infiltrate Israel in the attack on the border fence were killed; more than two dozen others were wounded.
Nearly a dozen managed to infiltrate Israel after breaking through the border fence, but all were caught and returned to Gaza. Five of those captured were taken into custody by IDF soldiers; they were transferred to security officers for interrogation.