One of the rockets was shot down by Israel’s 'iron dome' interceptor system (pictured). Photograph: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images
No damage or casualties reported in pre-dawn attack on southern port city of Ashkelon, according to Israeli military
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets at a southern Israeli port city on Monday, one of which was shot down by Israel's "iron dome" interceptor while the other fell into the sea, a military spokeswoman said.
The pre-dawn salvo on Ashkelon, about seven miles (12km) north of Gaza, was unusual given the relative restraint of Palestinian militants since last November's war between Hamas and Israel.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the launches, which came as Hamas tips into financial and political crisis after being cut off from neighbouring Egypt by the new, military-led interim government in Cairo. Hamas has also been challenged at times by more radical, armed Islamists in Gaza.
Hamas has tried to mend ties with Egypt while appealing to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, whose administration holds sway in the occupied West Bank, to abandon US-sponsored peace talks with Israel.
It has also signalled readiness to fight again, taking responsibility last week for a tunnel which Israel discovered running into their territory from Gaza and said was likely intended for kidnapping soldiers or setting off underground explosives.
The Israeli military spokeswoman said a mortar bomb was fired across the border from Gaza on Sunday, but caused no damage or casualties.
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