Most of shells fired towards southern Israel in two separate barrages land between Kerem Shalom crossing, Eshkol Regional Council. Popular Resistance Committees' military wing claims responsibility; Kerem Shalom crossing shut down

Ilana Curiel
Published: 01.07.10, 09:02 / Israel News

Seven mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning. Most of them landed between the Kerem Shalom crossing and a community in the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Three additional shells landed in Gaza.

The Popular Resistance Committees' military wing, the Salah al-Din Brigades, claimed responsibility for the firing.

The firing began at around 7:45 am. Three mortar shells landed near the Kerem Shalom crossing, and another on Palestinian territory. One shell hit the Eshkol Regional Council. A second barrage was fired shortly afterwards, with two shells landing in the Eshkol Regional Council.

Immediately after the firing, the residents of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom were asked to enter fortified area, where they stayed for about half an hour. One of the residents told Ynet, "I hope this is only a specific incident, but we are not so naïve to believe that there won't be another battle. In any event, this is routine."

Kibbutz secretary Zohar Ronen told Ynet, "We are always prepared. Not so long ago it was our daily routine, so we are unfazed by this morning."

An Israel Defense Forces official said the army held an evaluation of the situation following the incidents and decided to close the Kerem Shalom crossing to traffic.