The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday morning that it carried out an airstrike and hit rocket-launching equipment in the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported in the attack. The military said that the Israel Air Force strike, which was launched in the early hours of Wednesday morning, came in response to Tuesday's rocket fire on Sderot and the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. The rocket landed in an open area on the outskirts of Sderot, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF reported destroying rocket-launching devices in Gaza. Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, head of the IDF Foreign Press Branch, said Israel holds Hamas responsible for attacks emanating from Gaza and will continue to combat terrorist infrastructure in the enclave. The incident comes amid increased tensions in Israel's south. On Tuesday, Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepted a rocket fired from the Sinai Peninsula toward Eilat. Meanwhile, a Color Red alert was triggered in Sderot on Wednesday morning by fireworks set off by Palestinians near the Erez border crossing with Gaza, Army Radio reported. The fireworks were used as part of the Palestinians' celebration over the release of security prisoners held by Israel.
