Rockets fired at Israel despite truce

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BEERSHEBA, Israel, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Beersheba shut down schools Sunday amid the renewal of rocket fire on southern Israel despite an Egyptian brokered truce, Israeli officials said.

Early Sunday morning and overnight Saturday, three Grad rockets and two Qassam rockets were fired at southern Israel, exploding near Beersheba and in the Eshkol region, the Israeli army said.

The Popular Resistance Committee in Gaza claimed responsibility for the Grad rocket attacks on Beersheba.

Beersheba Mayor Rubik Danilovich told Israel Radio all schools would remain closed Sunday.

"Beersheba has the benefit of past experience when we had four direct hits on school, each time we were told to resume a normal routine," he said.

The Israeli air force waged a pinpoint strike before dawn Sunday on a terror squad preparing to fire rockets from the central Gaza Strip, the army said.

Palestinians said one Hamas operative was killed and another injured in the air strike, Ma'an news agency said.

A statement released by the Israeli army said more than 150 rockets have been fired at southern Israel since the beginning of October and more than 610 rockets have been fired since the beginning of the year. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all terrorist activities emanating from the Gaza Strip, the army said.

Hamas agreed Wednesday to abide to an Egyptian brokered truce and halt the rocket fire, a day after more than 80 rockets were fired at southern Israel.