Two Gaza Rockets Fired at Southern Israel After Several Days of Calm

Two rockets were fired on Saturday from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel, the army said in a statement, after a brief lull in cross-border attacks that have resumed in recent weeks.

The army did not immediately say whether the rockets were intercepted, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Moments earlier, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett lauded a "dramatic decline" in rocket fire from Gaza since his appointment in November.

Speaking to Channel 12 News, Bennett said "the last thing I want is to send troops to Gaza … but if they don't stop, they'll have a very painful spring," referring to Hamas and other armed groups in the Strip.

The Defense Ministry said that because of the rocket fire, restrictions on Gazans would not be lifted, days after saying the military said they would be. 

An Israeli defense official said on Thursday that Hamas had informed Israel it intends to unilaterally halt the launching of explosive-laden balloons and rockets at Israel, amid talks of a long-term truce.

“This … weekend, will serve as a test of this stability,” the official said. “If the quiet is maintained, Israel will once again expand the fishing zone to 15 nautical miles.” It will also reinstate 500 permits for Gazan businessmen to enter Israel, he added.