Rocket Strikes Launched From Gaza, Israel's Deputy Minister Of Defense: We Will Not Be Hamas's Fist Bags

Illustration of a rocket attack. (Source: jns.org/Haim Azulay/Flash90.)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into the Mediterranean sea on Saturday, causing an explosion off the coast of Tel Aviv, the Israeli military said.

Citing Reuters January 1, police said there were no casualties or damage from the two attacks. There was no direct claim of responsibility from Gaza insurgents for this blast, including from Hamas.

Hamas, the Islamist armed group that controls the coastal Palestinian enclave, occasionally tests fired rockets, launching them into the sea.

However, the Hamas-affiliated Paltimes news website said the launch was accidental and may have been caused by a malfunction.

Separately, citing The National News, Israel's Deputy Minister of Defense (Wamenhan) Alon Schuster said the military did not expect an escalation. Nevertheless, he said, "we will not become Hamas's punching bag."

To note, the Israel-Gaza border has been largely calm since the 11-day war in May. But on Wednesday, gunfire from Gaza that wounded an Israeli civilian drew tank fire from the Israeli military, wounding three Palestinians.