The Israel Air Force (IAF) is currently "operating" in the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Ehud Barak confirmed on Tuesday.

According to army sources, Barak made the remarks during the Herzliya Conference.

Meanwhile, during a tour of the Northern Command of the army, Barak also warned of a response to the attack in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, Palestinian sources reported that residents of Rafah received a phone message warning them of an IDF operation in the area.

The warning came after a Grad rocket attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon on Tuesday morning that caused damage to property and a number of shock victims. It was the first such rocket attack since a cease-fire ended Israel's 22-day offensive in Gaza last month.

The spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister's Office Mark Regev said in a response that "Hamas is playing with fire and they alone will be responsible for the destruction of the truce."

"The whole international community will understand that if there is a new escalation it will be the direct result of Hamas's extremist, irresponsible and nihilistic behavior," local daily Jerusalem Post's website quoted him as saying.