Grad rocket fired from Gaza Strip explodes near Ashdod
No injuries but several reportedly suffer from shock; sirens heard in cities north of Ashdod; IDF force near Efrat hit earlier by roadside bomb, causing no injuries; rocket attack is first since Schalit deal.
At least one Grad rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip at the Ashdod area shortly before midnight Wednesday.
No injuries were reported but several people were suffering from shock, according to Israeli media reports.
The IDF Spokesman confirmed that one rocket was fired at the Ashdod area. Israel Radio reported that three rockets were fired from the Strip.
Warning sirens were heard in cities surrounding Ashdod, including areas north of the city.
Earlier Wednesday night an IDF patrol was struck by a roadside bomb near the West Bank settlement of Efrat .
No injuries were reported but an army vehicle was damaged, the IDF Spokesman said. IDF forces were on the scene conducting a search for the attackers.
The rocket attack was the first since the deal that freed IDF soldier Gilad Schalit last week.
Three weeks ago, two Kassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip. One exploded in an open field in the Hof Askelon Regional Council, while the other exploded inside the Strip. No injuries or damage was reported in that attack.
