IDF says terrorist rockets aimed for Israel, but hit Gaza School

The residents of Gaza, it's important that you know, the rocket hit the Ghazi al-Shawa public school in Beit Hanun and destroyed a classroom there!” read the Facebook statement posted in Arabic.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

DECEMBER 13, 2017 23:22

Updated: DECEMBER 14, 2017 11:22

Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor rocket (photo credit: REUTERS) — Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor rocket

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Israel’s military posted a statement on Facebook late Wednesday night saying that a missile fired on Israel from Gaza earlier in the evening, hit and caused damage to a classroom in a school in Gaza.

"The Iron Dome intercepted two rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. What they did not tell you is what happened with another rocket launched from Gaza ... The residents of Gaza, it's important that you know, the rocket hit the Ghazi al-Shawa public school in Beit Hanun and destroyed a classroom there!” read a statement on the Arabic Facebook page of the Government Coordinator of Activities in the Territories (COGAT)."The terrorists in Gaza now prove what we have repeatedly said — that they are destroying their children's future with their own hands.”

Gaza border brief with Seth J. Frantzman

Rockets were fired at Israel for the sixth-straight night as two were intercepted over the city of Sderot and a third rocket landed in open territory in Eshkol Regional Council, causing no damage or injuries.

"I expect the prime minister, the defense minister and the chief of staff to strike at the terror organizations mercilessly," Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said. "We will not tolerate continued firing at Sderot."

Over a dozen rockets have been fired toward Israeli territory over the past week, and while Israeli defense officials believe that Islamic Jihad militants are responsible for the rocket fire, the IDF has retaliated against Hamas targets in the Strip with airstrikes and artillery fire.

As policy commands and "in response to the rocket fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel earlier today, the IAF targeted a Hamas military compound in the southern Gaza Strip," read a statement released by IDF Spokesperson Unit.

Tensions along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip have been high as of late, after US President Donald Trump announced that the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. His declaration set off riots across the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.

Militant groups in Gaza, including Hamas, have called for a new Palestinian uprising — or intifada — over Trump’s statement.

Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.