Salafi terrorists fired a Qassam rocket Monday night at southern Israel, but failed to hit any significant target. The rocket, which landed in an open area of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council district of southern Israel, was launched by an Islamic State (ISIS/Da’esh)-linked Salafi Muslim terrorist group called Aqnaf Bayt al-Maqdis.
No one was injured and no property damage was reported.
Salafi Muslims practice a stricter form of Islam than the Sunni Islam observed by the ruling Hamas terrorist organization, and Salafi factions in Gaza have challenged Hamas for control over the enclave since the 2007 ouster of the Fatah faction.
Although this was the first attack on the southern front this week, it is the third attack on Israeli territory in as many days. Mortar fire was reported in the northern Golan Heights on both the Sabbath (Saturday) and Sunday as well. The IDF estimated the shelling was errant fire due to spillover from the Syrian civil war across the border, although it is not always possible to know exactly who was behind the attack.
The Israeli Air Force nevertheless retaliated in response to both attacks; Israel’s government has warned President Bashar al-Assad the Jewish State holds Syria ultimately responsible for whatever takes place and emanates from its territory — in the same way Israel holds the Hamas government responsible for the actions that take place in Gaza.