JERUSALEM (JTA) — Twenty rockets were launched at southern Israel hours after a terrorist was killed by Israeli troops while attempting plant explosives along the Gaza border.
Half the rockets launched on Sunday evening were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, according to the Israel Defense Forces. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage, though a piece of shrapnel from an Iron Dome interception struck a parked car, causing damage.
Two hours later, another ten rockets were fired, and were either intercepted or landed in open areas.
The IDF said two men planting the explosives on Sunday were part of an Islamic Jihad cell that had planted at least two other explosive devices along the border in recent months.
After one of the men was killed, the Israel Defense Forces used a bulldozer to prevent the retrieval of the body for burial. The body is being held by the Israeli military.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad had both threatened to avenge the death of the terrorist. Hamas is currently holding the bodies of two Israeli soldiers in Gaza.The Al-Quds Brigade, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the retaliatory attack.
The city of Ashkelon said it was opening all of its public bomb shelters and was canceling school for Monday.
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