An IAF fighter jet attacked a Hamas rocket launcher on Friday night, hours after the terror group launched two rockets at Ashkelon on Erev Shabbos.

Hamas had placed the launcher near a humanitarian shelter in the northern Gaza Strip.

The IDF spokesperson stated: “Before the attack, numerous steps were taken to minimize the chance of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial reconnaissance, and additional intelligence.”

“This is another example of Hamas’ cynical and systematic use of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip for terror purposes.”

Sirens were heard in Ashkelon and the surrounding area on Friday about an hour before Shabbos. The Iron Dome system successfully intercepted the two rockets, and no casualties or damage were reported.

Ashkelon residents reported hearing the sounds of loud explosions.

The rocket fire came a day after Hamas fired rockets at the Gush Dan area, including Tel Aviv, Holon and Rishon L’Tzion, the first rocket fire at the area in six months.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)