A rocket fired from Gaza struck a residential home in southern Israel early Wednesday and the Israeli military began attacking “Hamas” sites in Gaza in response after days of rising tensions.
The Magen David Adom medical service said a woman and her three children, whose home in Beersheba was struck, were being treated for shock after they fled to their shelter upon being awaken by warning sirens shortly before 4 a.m.
Her swift response likely saved their lives, as the home was destroyed and debris was scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The medical service said two other Beersheba residents were injured during the panic to seek cover.
The military said another rocket from Gaza landed in the sea, just off the coast of one of the larger cities in central Israel. No injuries were reported.
Following the attacks, schools in Beersheba were closed and Israel's military chief was cutting short his visit to the United States to come back and manage the crisis.
As a first response, Israeli military jets pounded “Hamas” targets across the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Health Ministry said a 25-year-old “Hamas” member was killed inside one of the posts targeted. Three other people were wounded.
The rocket attack on Beersheba was the first in months and the first that hit an Israeli home there since the 2014 summer war between Israel and Gaza's “Hamas” rulers.
However, “Hamas” disavowed new rocket fire from the Palestinian territory.
In a joint statement with allied militant groups, “Hamas” said it rejected "all irresponsible attempts" to undermine Egyptian efforts to broker a new long-term truce, "including the rocket fire last night."
Israel and “Hamas” have fought three wars over the past decade and fighting has flared up on several occasions recently, though neither side appears to be interested in another full-blown war. Egypt has been trying to mediate a long-term cease-fire to stave off another confrontation.
