Two mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip into the rural Eshkol Regional Council on Sunday morning contained phosphorous, security forces confirmed. The shells landed in open fields, causing no injuries or damage.
Mortars containing phosphorous fired from Gaza have landed in Israeli territory in the past. Phosphorous is designed to ignite a fire around the impact zone.
The chemical is banned by international law for use near civilians.RELATED:
'Palestinian dies from IDF fire in Gaza'
Hamas to Egypt: Pressure Israel over Gaza strikesThe mortar attack follows an
Israeli air strike on Palestinian terrorists attempting to fire rockets into Israel on Friday. The IDF confirmed that the Israel Air Force killed one in the attack and and injured five. Palestinian sources identified the deceased as Muaman Abu Daf, commander of the al-Qaida-affiliated 'Army of Islam.'
Earlier last week,
terrorists fired five Kassam rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IAF struck targets in the Strip,
confirming hits against a tunnel used by terrorists in northern Gaza and
a known center for terrorist activity in the center of the Strip.
Palestinians reported no injuries.
Speaking on the third anniversary of Operation Cast Lead last Tuesday,
IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny
Gantz said that Israel will
“sooner or later” need to launch a large-scale operation against Hamas
in the Gaza Strip.
Reuters contributed to this article.