Gaza rocket hits building in southern Israel

JERUSALEM, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Gaza militants fired three rockets at Israel on Friday, with one of them hitting a building in the country's south without causing injuries, a military spokesperson said.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that the rocket fell in one of the kibbutzim, small rural communities, in the Sha'ar Ha'negev Regional Council. It hit a building in the kibbutz.

"There are no casualties, only a little damage to the building," the spokesperson said.

The other two rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket system, according to the spokesperson.

The fire triggered Red Color sirens across the southern regional councils of Sha'ar Ha'negev and Sdot Negev. Troops are still searching the area for the remains of the rockets, the army said.

Local media widely reported that the rockets were launched as dozens of people were gathering in the kibbutz of Kfar Azza to commemorate the birthday of Sgt. Oron Shaul, who was killed in a battle during Israel's 2014 offense in the Gaza Strip. Israel claims that his body was taken by Hamas together with the body of another soldier and demands the Islamist organization to return it.

The launches came amidst escalation between Israel and the Palestinians over U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and his plan to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Enditem