JNS.org – Six rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza on Sunday night, including two headed for Ashkelon which were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and three which exploded in open areas, Israel Hayom reported. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav “Poly” Mordechai said that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group was behind the attack, but that Israel “holds Hamas responsible for any terror emanating from the Gaza Strip.”

“Hamas is still in control of Gaza, and it bears the responsibility for what goes on there,” Mordechai said.

These were the first Palestinian rockets fired from Gaza to hit Israel in 40 days. On Monday, the Israel Air Force retaliated by attacking two terrorist arms depots, a rocket-launching site, and another terrorist hub in the Gaza Strip. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said the Gaza targets that were hit belonged to Islamic Jihad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “There was rocket fire into our communities, and the response came immediately. My policy is to harm anyone who tries to harm us. No trickle, no accumulation.”