Skip to main content

First rocket fired from Gaza into Israel since November cease-fire

From Sara Sidner, CNN
updated 10:53 AM EST, Tue February 26, 2013
Israeli bomb technicians inspect the remains of a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip and near Ashkelon on Tuesday.
Israeli bomb technicians inspect the remains of a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip and near Ashkelon on Tuesday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: The IDF sets strictures on two crossings
  • Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a Gaza militant group, claims responsibility for the attack
  • Militants warned of retaliation if a prisoner died in Israeli custody
  • Gaza militants have regularly launched rocket attacks

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Days after the death of a Palestinian in an Israeli prison, a rocket fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel on Tuesday, the first such attack since a cease-fire took hold in November.

Israeli police said they did not receive any reports of injuries from the rocket.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a Gaza militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, which damaged a road outside the town of Ashkelon, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Gaza. The brigades made the claim in an e-mail to CNN.

Fury in West Bank over prisoner death
Israel-Hamas cease-fire holding
Palestinians mourn during the funeral Arafat Jaradat on February 25, 2013 in the village of Saair in the West Bank. Palestinians mourn during the funeral Arafat Jaradat on February 25, 2013 in the village of Saair in the West Bank.
Blame and anger over prisoner's death
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
>
>>
Blame and anger over prisoner\'s death Blame and anger over prisoner's death

Last week, militants in Gaza warned there would be retaliation if a prisoner died or was harmed while in Israeli custody. Arafat Jaradat, 30, died Saturday, inciting Palestinian officials to once again decry Israeli prison conditions.

"The prisoner martyr Jaradat went to prison to come back a corpse, but we are determined to find out how it was done and who did it," Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday, according to the state news agency WAFA. "We know how we will act, and we will not let them (Israelis) drag us to their square, and they should bear the responsibility."

The rocket fire prompted the Israel Defense Forces to close the Kerem Shalom Crossing near the Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian borders. The Erez Crossing between Gaza and Israel will be open only for medical cases, humanitarian aid or exceptional cases.

The government said it will send out a directive when it opens the crossings to full activity.

Israel seized Gaza during the 1967 war, and withdrew settlers from there in 2005. In the ensuing years, militants in Gaza have regularly launched rocket attacks into southern Israel.

In November, Israel launched what it called the Pillar of Defense operation, a series of military strikes on Gaza designed to stop the constant rocket fire.

READ: Rockets, airstrikes reignite Mideast conflict

Eight days of round-the-clock warfare followed between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian movement that controls Gaza.

As Israel targeted Hamas military commanders and weaponry, Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets into Israel, battering the southern region and reaching Israel's two major cities -- Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

READ: Calm elusive as rockets rain in Gaza, Israel

Israel called up reservists and massed its forces on the Gaza border, threatening a ground invasion. Many feared a repeat of Israel's Operation Cast Lead offensive against Palestinian militants in late 2008, an operation that led to a bloody three-week war.

The fighting in November took its toll: More than 160 Palestinians, many of whom were civilians, were killed. Six Israelis died, including civilians and soldiers. Hundreds were wounded.

The fighting ended after Egypt and the United States helped broker the cease-fire that lasted until Tuesday.

READ: Hamas leaders in Egypt for cease-fire talks involving Israel

A Palestinian official sent a warning Sunday to U.S. President Barack Obama, who plans to make his first trip to Israel as president next month.

"If President Obama wants to visit the region peacefully, he should exert pressure on Israel to release the prisoners -- especially the ones who are on hunger strike -- or else he will visit while Palestine is on fire," Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qaraqe said.

Israeli officials Sunday called on the Palestinian Authority to calm the territories, where there have been large protests in recent days over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.

READ: Palestinians protest inmate's death, warn Obama

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
updated 11:45 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
When the former teacher Ingrid Loyau-Kennett saw the bloodied man wielding a knife, she tried to engage him in a conversation to distract him.
updated 6:53 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
A man dressed up as a woman to expose sexual harassment in Egypt -- and says he can't imagine how women put up with the daily abuse.
updated 6:29 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
Fear pervades Nigerian city at heart of Islamist insurgency by M.J. Smith A female student stands in a burnt classroom at Maiduguri Experimental School, a private nursery, primary and secondary school burnt by the Islamist group Boko Haram to keep children away from school in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria May 12, 2012. The Nigerian Islamist group known as Boko Haram has grown from a northeastern-focused sect targeting local leaders and police to a many-headed monster capable of deploying suicide bombers to attack the United Nations, police headquarters and one of the country's most prominent newspapers.
The breakdown of the education system, growing youth unemployment and insecurity swelled Boko Haram, 'Funmi Olonisakin writes.
updated 8:51 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
"It's always the one we feared, the lone wolf that can come from nowhere and not be on our radar," said ex-London police chief John Yates.
updated 2:13 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
Christiane Amanpour and Nic Robertson give their insight on the brutal murder of a man in broad daylight. What's behind the horrific attack?
updated 6:54 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
In India, a child goes missing every eight minutes. What is behind this devastating statistic felt most by the parents left searching?
Learn about one woman's tireless battle against sex slavery in the Philippines, with Manny Pacquiao in her corner. Watch the full version here.
updated 6:43 AM EDT, Thu May 23, 2013
Ai Weiwei, the controversial Chinese artist-activist, has released a music single and video inspired by his harrowing detention by the government.
updated 7:56 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
Meet Ugandan Ruganzu Bruno who uses recycled materials to create functional pieces of art, raising environmental awareness through his art.
updated 8:27 AM EDT, Fri May 24, 2013
The Germans are coming, this time in the form of the first all-German Champions League football final -- and this time, London cannot wait.
updated 7:06 AM EDT, Thu May 23, 2013
Bayern Munich's super fan Boris Becker takes a tour of London ahead of the 2013 Champions League final. What are his favorite spots?
updated 10:15 AM EDT, Thu May 23, 2013
Illuminated houses made with bare paint
Imagine if you could paint a working light switch directly onto your wall, without any need for sockets, cables or wiring. Well, now you can.
ADVERTISEMENT