Update - Qassam Brigades Claims Rocket Fire At Israel

The Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Gaza-based Palestinian faction Hamas, said Sunday morning that it fired several rockets at Israel.



In separate statements, the brigades said it fired two M75 rockets at Tel Aviv and five Grad rockets at Ashdod.



It also fired mortar shells at the Israeli troops stationed near Karam Abu Salem and Erez border crossings, in southern and northern Gaza respectively, as well as Israeli vehicles in eastern Beit Hanoun town in the north.



The group's fighters also fired two rockets at Kissufim military site in southern Israel.



The rocket fire, the group said, came in "retaliation for the war crimes committed by the Israeli troops against the Palestinian people."



The rocket attacks came amid a crippling Israeli onslaught against the blockaded Gaza Strip, which started on July 7 with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave.



At least 1053 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and around 6000 others injured in Israel's offensive.



Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, fired rocket at Israeli cities in response to relentless Israeli bombardments.



Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populate Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



By Ola Attalah



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze