A barrage of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Wednesday evening.

A trail of smoke is seen as a rocket is launched from the Palestinian Gaza Strip towards the southern Israeli city of Sderot on November 11, 2012. – Photo: AFP

At least 20 missiles struck various locations near the Strip. One missile hit Sderot, and others landed in the areas near Netivot, Shaar Hanegev Regional Council and Sdot Negev. Area residents have been called to stay within protected areas.

The IDF’s Iron Dome system successfully intercepted three rockets.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attacks, and stated that the volley included over 50 rockets. A statement released by the militant organization called the missiles “a response to the crimes of the occupation, the most recent of which was the assassination of three [Islamic Jihad] members, Palestinian news agency Ma’an reported.

IAF strikes in Gaza

On Tuesday, the IDF said it struck an Islamic Jihad cell in response to an attempted mortar shell attack on Israeli forces doing routine operations in the area.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said the airstrike took place in southeast Khan Younis, the Palestinian Maan News Agency reported.

According to Islamic Jihad, the three killed were militant members of the group, identified in Gaza reports as Ismail Abu Judah, 23, Shahir Abu Shanab, 24, and Abd al-Shafi Muammar, 33. Their bodies were taken to the European hospital in Khan Younis. A fourth person was also reportedly moderately wounded.

Last week, one Palestinian was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli air strike in Gaza. The IDF stated that the target was a group of militants in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, who were preparing to launch rockets into Israel.

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.579440