Israel Responds to Rocket Fired from Gaza with Artillery

On Thursday night, April 3, the Israeli army's artillery fired several shells into the Beit Hanoun area in response to what was reported as the firing of at least one rocket by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip. German news agency quoted security officials in Gaza stating that explosions occurred in the area, but 'no damage was reported.' The Gaza Ministry of Health also issued a statement saying that no one was harmed as a result of these attacks. Previously, the Israeli army had stated that a rocket was launched from northern Gaza towards its territory. According to reports, this rocket also caused no damage or casualties. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited a source in the Israeli intelligence agency, saying that the purpose of the artillery fire from Israel was to target the rocket launch site in Gaza. According to this source, Israeli intelligence considers Hamas responsible for the rocket launch and expects it to remain committed to maintaining calm in the area under its control. German news agency quoted Ismail Radwan, a senior Hamas official, stating that Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip are adhering to the existing ceasefire and that this group is unaware of the rocket firing incident. Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip agreed to a ceasefire following a 50-day conflict last year, although sporadic rocket fire and attacks have occurred since the ceasefire was established. During the 50-day conflict in Gaza, nearly 2,200 Palestinians lost their lives, most of whom were civilians. On the Israeli side, 73 people died, of whom 67 were soldiers except for 6 civilians.