Rocket launched from Gaza overnight found in southern Israel

While there was no damage or injuries, the army is investigating why the warning system did not pick up the launch.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: JULY 23, 2017 13:21
Remnants from a rocket that struck southern Israel, April 10, 2017 (photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Remnants from a rocket that struck southern Israel, April 10, 2017
(photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The army confirmed on Sunday that a rocket fired from northern Gaza landed in Israeli territory overnight.
According to a statement by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit the rocket was found in an open area in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council.
While there was no damage or injuries, the army is investigating why the warning system did not pick up the launch.
The rocket launch comes amid escalating violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank following a deadly terror attack which killed two Israeli police officers led authorities to install metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount Complex in Jerusalem’s Old City.
At least four Palestinians in clashes with Israeli forces in demonstrations and three Israeli civilians were killed in a deadly terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Halamisch by a Palestinian who has confessed to carrying it out for the Temple Mount.
Demonstrations against the installation of the metal detectors also took place in Gaza on Friday leaving several Gazans injured from Israeli fire.
Several rockets have been launched from Gaza this year, most recently in June, claimed by small jihadist groups, many times as a means for pressuring Hamas by raising tensions between the terror organization and Israel.
The rocket launched in June, which also landed in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council was later claimed by the Islamic State-affiliated group Ahfad al-Sahaba. Hamas has cracked down on these small groups, carrying out a wave of arrests among Salafi, jihadist, pro-Islamic State organizations.