Israel – Palestinian terrorists fired two rockets at Israel on Sunday night; one exploded in an open area in Eshkol, causing no injuries or damage, and the second failed to cross into Israel, though it triggered warning sirens.
The rocket that failed to cross into Israel set off sirens in the Sha’ar Hanegev region, sending residents fleeing for cover. The rocket that did explode in Israel did not set off sirens as it was headed towards an unpopulated area, army sources said.
This latest attack adds to the tensions that have risen to the surface in light of the Palestinian terrorist attacks that have claimed the lives of four Israelis in Jerusalem and the northern West Bank these past few days.
Last month, the Israel Air Force struck targets in the Gaza Strip after a number of rockets were launched at western Negev towns.
The Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, a Salafist organization affiliated with Islamic State, claimed credit for rocket attacks against Israel.
In recent months, the Omar Brigade – named after a key figure who helped Abu Musab al-Zarqawi set up and run al-Qaida in Iraq a decade ago – has attempted to challenge Hamas’s rule in the Strip.
The Omar Brigade is responsible for a growing number of rocket attacks from Gaza. It hopes to spark a new war with Israel that will weaken Hamas and enable it to fill the resulting power vacuum.
Hamas arrested members of the group following past rocket attacks, and has stepped up attempts to enforce the August 2014 truce with Israel.
As reported by Vos Iz Neias