Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired two Qassam rockets toward the western Negev on April 3 as Israeli children in Sderot and Sha’ar Hanegev were making their way to school after the Passover holiday. No injuries or damage were reported. The rockets apparently landed in an open area.
Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket fire, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said in a statement, “Israel holds Hamas responsible for everything that is fired from Gaza. We will not in any way allow rocket fire on our civilians and soldiers.”
Ya’alon, who spoke before the April 3 rocket fire, was referring to Israeli military strikes in Gaza and the Golan Heights the previous night. They were the first Israeli air strikes since Operation Pillar of Defense concluded last November with an informal ceasefire.
An Israeli military statement said its planes targeted “two extensive terror sites” with “accurate hits.” Palestinian officials said there were no injuries or damage.
The Israeli strikes were in retaliation for three mortars fired from Gaza toward Israel earlier April 2. No injuries or damage were reported.
However, damage caused by a rocket apparently fired from Gaza during President Barack Obama’s visit was found by teachers on April 2 in a Sderot school that had been shut for the Passover holiday.
“We knew the calm would not be maintained, but every time it happens, we feel the despair again,” Sderot resident Itzik Biton said.