A Qassam rocket fired from Gaza hit near the southern city of Ashkelon late Saturday, causing neither casualties nor damage. The rocket strike was the first cross-border attack on Saturday, after Gaza militants fired 10 mortar shells and a Qassam rocket into the western Negev on Friday.
Israel Defense Forces troops operating in the Kissufim area identified the explosions and opened fire in the direction of the launchers across the border.
The strikes came amid an apparent stalemate in Gaza Strip truce negotiations, following Israel's demand that a cease-fire be linked to the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.