nuclear-news

JERUSALEM, July 9 (Xinhua) — Hamas fired three rockets on Wednesday evening from the Gaza Strip into Dimona, a southern city where Israel’s nuclear reactor is located, causing no injury or damage, the Israeli military said.

Israel’s Channel 2 reported that one rocket was intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, while the rest fell in open fields.

Hamas’ military wing Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they launched three M-75 missiles targeting the reactor in Dimona.

It’s the first time that rockets have hit Dimona, one of Israel ‘s most sensitive areas.

Sirens also wailed in cities in central and southern Israel for the second night in a row, as rockets showered over the skies of the southern central and central coastal plain on Wednesday. One rocket made its way to Hof Hacarmel, a regional council in northern Israel near Haifa, about 120 km north of the Gaza Strip, which is the most northern spot reached by Gaza rockets.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will further intensify its offensive on Gaza. “We have decided to further increase our attacks against Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said, swearing that Hamas “will pay a heavy price” for the barrages of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.

Since Israel launched operation Protective Edge early on Tuesday, it has attacked over 560 sites in Gaza, killing at least 41 Palestinians, according to the army. Hamas militants have fired more than 160 rockets at Israel.