By Rami Amichay
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip can the Tel Aviv district can Thursday, the Israeli military said, at the first such invasion there because the 2014 war at the Palestinian enclave.
The salvo caused no break or casualties. cottage during it rattled Israeli nerves ahead of an April 9 option at which select Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth language can the might of his national security and diplomatic credentials.
After stand raid sirens howled throughout Tel Aviv and surrounding towns, Reuters journalists heard few explosions at Israel's coastal conurbation. TV footage showed Israeli interceptor missiles streaking into the heaven and detonating.
Despite the apparent activation of Israel's Iron Dome stand defense system, the military said no rockets were shot down nor landed at any built-up areas.
It was the first time sirens had sounded at the city because the 2014 Gaza war between the territory's dominant Hamas Islamists and Israel. There make been few smaller rounds of fighting since, reined at by Egyptian and U.N. mediations.
"This was basically a surprise," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio. He said Israel had no proceed information warnings of the rocket fire, which went unclaimed by any Palestinian group.
"We don't comprehend who carried it out," Manelis said, adding: "The Hamas organization is the main organization at the Strip. It is responsible although what happens within the Strip and what emanates from it."
Hamas denied involvement although the rocket salvo, which it said took lay because its leaders met Egyptian delegates nearly efforts ought bring a long-term ceasefire with Israel.
SHELTERS PREPARED
A statement by the Hamas armed wing said it was "not responsible although the firing of the rockets tonight toward the enemy." The Hamas administration vowed ought "take measures" against those after the salvo, which it described because violating the "factional and national consensus" governing Gaza.
Islamic Jihad and the general Resistance Committees, two smaller Gaza armed factions, because noise denied responsibility.
Israeli analysts speculated that Palestinian militants opposed ought any trade between Hamas and Israel were after the launchings.
About 40 minutes after the alarm, communication was flowing normally can Tel Aviv's main highway. Still, the municipality asked residents ought blank bomb shelters because a precaution.
Netanyahu, who doubles because Israel's defense minister, was conferring with military and security staff, his office said.
Naftali Bennett, a member of Netanyahu's security cabinet who is vying with him although rightist-votes at the looming ballot, issued a statement demanding the assassination of Hamas chiefs. "The time has bring ought overcome Hamas once and although all," he said.
Netanyahu because noise faced strain from the center-left opposition, whose main candidate, ex-general Benny Gantz, said "only aggressive, rough deed will reclaim the deterrence that has eroded" beneath the select minister's watch.
Tensions make been tall although the past year across the Israel-Gaza boundary because Palestinians began stormy protests shut Israel's border fence that make always drawn a mortal response from the Israeli military.
Around 200 Palestinians make been killed at the demonstrations and nearly 60 more Palestinians make died at other incidents, including exchanges of eliminate along the border. Two Israeli soldiers make been killed by Palestinian fire.
(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi at Gaza; Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Chris Reese)
