Israel reports rocket fire from Gaza for 1st time in 2 months

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Two rockets were launched from Gaza toward Israeli settlements near the border, the Israel army said on Friday, claiming that it was the first such attack in nearly two months.

A military said in a statement that sirens sounded in the areas of Kissufim and Ein HaShlosha, both near the Gaza Strip, following the rocket launch.

It claimed it was the first time sirens had been heard in southern Israel in two months.

However, Israeli media reported that sirens had sounded in settlements near Gaza several times in the previous two months, contradicting the army's claims.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that one of the rockets was intercepted, while the other landed in an open area with no reported damage or additional details.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7.

In the year since, over 41,800 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and more than 96,840 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul