JERUSALEM (JTA) — A long-range Grad rocket fired from Egypt hit near a residential area in Eilat.
The rocket fired from the Sinai Peninsula exploded in the resort town in southern Israel early Thursday morning. No injuries were reported. The rocket landed in a construction site, according to reports.
Three explosions were heard in the city, but the other two rockets have not been located, according to reports. Eilat residents and tourists flooded the police and other emergency numbers with concerned calls.
The attack came a day before the start of Passover, when hundreds of tourists — from Israel and abroad — flock to the Red Sea town.
Egypt’s security chief denied that the attack had originated in Sinai, according to the French news agency AFP. However, sources told the news service that security officials were investigating the border area for launchers or other evidence.
"We are building a security fence but it will not stop missiles; for this too a situation will be found. We will strike at those who attack us," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday."There can be no immunity for terrorism; it must be fought and we are doing so. In the end, nobody will defend the Jews if the Jews do not defend themselves; this is an important principle."
Netanyahu said the Sinai was "turning into a terrorism zone."
Last August, eight Israelis were killed in a terrorist attack on a bus and cars traveling near Eilat. Israel claimed that the Palestinian attackers entered Israel through the border with Sinai.
The previous year, several long-range rockets were fired at Eilat from the Sinai.
Israel is constructing a 16-foot-tall border fence from Eilat to Gaza to keep out terrorists and migrants.
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