Southern Israel was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, just minutes before the Israeli general election ends, local daily Ha'aretz reported.

The rocket landed in an open field near the southern city of Sderot, a target of frequent rocket fire during the past years, causing no damage or casualties, said the report.

If confirmed, the rocket is the first on Israel's election day when millions of Israelis went to vote to determine the next parliament and premiership.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2009)