Sirens blared for a second time Friday evening as rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at border communities in southern Israel.
Earlier the Iron Dome intercepted one of the rockets and shrapnel caused some damage to homes in the town of Sderot.
This is the third time in one day that projectiles were fired from Gaza.
A cluster of balloons carrying an explosive device detonated over Sderot in the early evening hours.
Ofir Libstein, mayor of the Sha'ar Negev regional council said the silence of the Israeli government in the face of rocket fire on the citizens in the area is immoral and unacceptable. "While everyone is talking about the annexation of the West Bank I suggest the government first extend its authority over our communities," Libstein said. "I demand they take responsibility for our security."
Visitors were expected in the area as a local flower and music festival that sees thousands of visitors every year, opened Friday. The military positioned warning systems in case of attacks though organizers say nothing can alert them to incendiary or explosive devices that are dispatched from the Strip carried by balloons.
IDF officials say that the military holds Hamas responsible for what is happening in the Gaza Strip and it will carry the consequences for any action against Israeli citizens.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have rejected the Trump peace plan revealed Tuesday, which would allow Israel to annex all of its Jewish settlements, along with the Jordan Valley, in the West Bank.
Hamas has vowed that "all options are open" in responding to the proposal, but is not believed to be seeking another war with Israel.
First published: 22:15, 01.31.20