Sderot home hit in rocket barrage from Gaza Strip
No injuries reported; Iron Dome intercepts at least 7 projectiles fired across border after day of clashes that Palestinians say wounded dozens; attack is second such incident in 24 hours after almost month of relative calm
A home in the southern city of Sderot sustained a direct hit Friday night as three waves of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at Israeli communities bordering the coastal enclave.
The Iron Dome missile defense system brought down at least seven rockets during the attacks, the Israel Defense Forces said.
"When we got to the street there was a lot of hustle and bustle, there were several cars with shattered windscreens," said paramedic Alex Kusinov, who was called to the home hit by the rocket.
"The residents of the house, a couple in their 40s and their children, were in an adjacent building," he said.
"They told us that as soon as the sirens sounded, they entered the protected area and left a few minutes later. They were not injured and did not need medical attention."
Some 600 members of the Scouts Movement who were out in Eshkol Park were evaucated form the area following the attacks.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said one woman in her 60s was lightly hurt as she made her way to her protected area. There were no special security guidelines issued for local residents.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the defense minister, said he was "in constant contact with the IDF chief of staff and security officials and leading on the necessary action."
The rocket attacks began at around 9pm, triggering sirens in Sderot and other communities in Shaar HaNegev Regional Council.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said there were no injuries reported.
No Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, the second incident in 24 hours after nearly a month of relative calm.
Israel says Gaza's Hamas rulers are responsible for any fire from the coastal enclave.
Earlier on Friday, Gaza's health officials said scores of Palestinians were wounded by live fire during protests along the Gaza-Israel border fence during the weekly "March of Return" protests.
Some 2,700 protesters gathered at several locations along the fence, with some throwing stones, firebombs and improvised explosive devices at IDF troops across the barrier.
On Thursday night, a rocket was fired from Gaza that hit an open area in a nearby Israeli community. The IDF said one launch had been identified.
In response, IDF fired a tank barrage at a Hamas position in the Strip.
