JERUSALEM
Two Israeli soldiers were injured by rocket fire in southern Israel on Saturday.
In a statement, Israeli army said the soldiers were injured after a mortar fired from the Gaza Strip hit the Eshkol region.
The army earlier said that seven Palestinian rockets had been intercepted on Saturday.
Violence has engulfed the Palestinian territories since Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip almost four weeks ago with the stated aim of halting rocket fire.
At least 1650 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed and nearly 9000 others injured in relentless Israeli attacks on the blockaded territory since July 7, according to Palestinian medics.
Gaza-based Palestinian factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities in response to the ongoing Israeli attacks.
According to Israeli figures, at least 63 Israeli soldiers were killed in battles with Palestinian fighters in Gaza and three civilians by rocket fire.
A 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip collapsed on Friday after Israel accused Hamas of abducting a soldier in the southern city of Rafah.
The Palestinian movement, however, has denied any role in abducting the Israeli soldier.
By Alaa Rimawi
www.aa.com.tr/en
