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Rocket fired from Egypt's Sinai hits community in southern Israel

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

A rocket fired by militants in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula hit a community in southern Israel on Sunday, causing no injuries, the army said.

The rocket hit a greenhouse in the community of Yevul in the Eshkol Regional Council, spokeswoman for the police, Luba Samri, said.

Samri added that one man was treated for anxiety, but no other injuries were reported.

A military spokesperson confirmed that "a projectile was launched from the Sinai Peninsula," adding that forces are searching the area for the remains of the projectile.

The attack came less than an hour after Israel closed the crossing to the Egyptian resort and urged Israelis to leave "immediately."

The move came "in light of the increased severity and immediacy of the threat, and in accordance with the approval of the political leadership," the National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau said in a statement.

The Counter-Terrorism Bureau noted that "increased activity by the (Islamic State-affiliated) 'Sinai Province' in recent months has also found expression against Israel in its desire to commit terrorist attacks against tourists in Sinai, including Israelis, in the immediate term."

The incident was the third rocket attack from Sinai since February. On Feb. 20, two rockets, presumably fired by the Sinai Province group, hit an empty field in the Eshkol Regional Council, causing injuries.

Almost two weeks earlier, Sinai province militants launched four rockets at the Red Sea Israeli resort city of Eilat, in a rare incident in the peaceful border.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted three of the rockets, and a fourth rocket exploded in an open field, causing no injuries or damage.

On Sunday, at least 27 people were killed and 78 others injured in an explosion inside a church in the Egyptian Nile delta city of Tanta.

Hours later, 17 people were killed and 48 wounded in a second church bombing attack outside St. Mark's Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria.

Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Endit