Israel says rockets fired from Sinai

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TEL AVIV, Israel, June 17 (UPI) -- The Israeli army Sunday said terrorists operating in northern Sinai fired two Grad rockets at southern Israel during the weekend.

An unnamed security official told Israel Radio the remnants of the rockets found in Ovdah and Mitspeh Ramon were fired by terrorists in northern Sinai seeking to examine the distance capability of rockets in their possession.

The area from where the rockets were fired is under Egypt's sovereignty despite Egypt's denial that no rockets were fired from its territory, the radio said. The official did not rule out the rocket fire was in response to the presidential runoff election taking place in Egypt.

The rocket remnants were found by security forces Saturday, the Tel Aviv-based Maariv newsaper said. The rockets caused no injuries or damages, an Israeli army statement said.

In recent months Israel's security establishment has identified a significant increase in terrorist activity in the Sinai Peninsula and a failure of Egyptian security forces to clamp down on terrorists operating in the area, Maariv said.