Israel claims 7 injured in rocket fire from Gaza

JERUSALEM

Seven Israelis were reportedly injured in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip early Monday, according to Israeli authorities.

In a statement, the army said a rocket struck a home in northern Tel Aviv at dawn.

Israel's national emergency agency, Magen David Adom, said seven people were injured in the attack.

There was no Palestinian claim of responsibility for the fire.

However, the Israeli military held Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, responsible for the attack.

"We can confirm that Hamas is responsible for firing a homemade rocket," the army said in a statement.

Israeli media said the army deployed two additional brigades to Gaza border and called up reservists for air defense units following the rocket fire.

"In light of the situation assessment and as part of the measures, it was decided to block areas and axes near the perimeter fence with Gaza strip and to stop agricultural work in areas near the perimeter fence," the army said in a statement.

Israeli authorities also closed the Erez (Beit Hanoun) and Kerem Shalom crossings with Gaza until further notice and reduced the fishing zone for Palestinian fishermen off Gaza's coast.

Commenting on the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will cut short his current visit to the U.S. and return to Israel.

Netanyahu said he will "respond with great force" against Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, following the rocket fire.

* Writing by Mohamed Sabry and Mahmoud Barakat