The air strikes hit four buildings used by the dominant Islamist group’s security forces, which Hamas had evacuated as a precaution of escalating tensions. There has been no word of casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that neither of the two rockets caused any damage and there were no casualites, adding that the rockets had landed in the sea or not in any built-up areas.
Hamas has denied responsibility for the attack, which it said took place as its leaders met Egyptian delegates about efforts to secure a long-term ceasefire with Israel.
Shelters Prepared
Israel is still trying to determine who fired the rockets. “We don’t know who carried it out,” military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio, adding: “The Hamas organization is the main organization in the Strip. It is responsible for what happens within the Strip and what emanates from it.”
Residents in Tel Aviv have been encouraged to stick to their usual daily routines. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai told Channel 10 news that the public air raid shelters across the city have been opened as a protective measure.
About 40 minutes after the alarm, traffic was flowing normally on Tel Aviv’s main highway.
Netanyahu, who doubles as Israel’s defense minister, conferred with his military and security staff, to decide the aircraft bombing response to the rockets. According to Israel’s Channel 10 news, anonymous military officials had said that the rockets had been identified as Iranian-made Fajr rockets.
