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Israel responds to rocket attack on Ashkelon

February 3, 2009

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel struck smuggling tunnels in Rafah after a long-range rocket fired from Gaza landed in Ashkelon.

Israel's Air Force on Tuesday evening also struck a Hamas outpost in northern Gaza, according to reports.

The airstrikes were in retaliation for the rocket attack earlier in the day on Ashkelon, in which for the first time a Grad missile hit Israel since the end of its military operation in Gaza two weeks ago. Three people were treated for shock and property in the area sustained damage. The rocket hit the city center, near the education district, causing most Ashkelon children to stay home from school.

Residents of Rafah in southern Gaza reported later Tuesday that they received recorded telephone messages from Israel warning them to vacate the area due to a planned airstrike, Israel's daily Ha'aretz reported.

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