The Israel Air Force struck on Monday evening two targets in Gaza in response to rocket fire on southern Israel earlier in the day, the IDF confirmed.

IAF on the way to Gaza : Photo:REUTERS

The targets hit were a military compound and a terror infrastructure site, said an IDF spokesperson, adding that both targets were accurately hit.

Both targets belonged to Hamas, which the IDF holds responsible for failing to prevent Monday’s rocket fire.

On Monday afternoon, Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets at the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council shortly after the burial ceremony for former prime minister Ariel Sharon culminated at his nearby Sycamore Ranch.

The rockets landed in open fields and did not cause damages or injuries.

Earlier on Monday, Israel had beefed up security for Sharon’s  funeral near the Gaza border and warned Hamas not to allow rocket fire during the ceremony, which many international dignitaries attended.

Gaza rocket at sunset – Photo: REUTERS/ Darren Whiteside

“It was made clear to them that tomorrow would be a very bad day for anyone there to test Israel’s patience,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Security sources said Israel had deployed an Iron Dome rocket interceptor near Sharon’s funeral site at his beloved Sycamore Farm, which had been hit by Gaza-launched rockets in the past.

On December 26, the Israel Air Force struck two targets in Gaza in response to the firing of two rocket on southern Israel within a 24-hour period. Earlier that week a mortar fired from the Strip landed in the Asheklon Coast Regional Council after a string of mortar fire failed to reach their destination, falling inside the Palestinian territory.

View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Gaza-rockets-fired-on-southern-Israel-shortly-after-Ariel-Sharons-funeral-338024