Two rockets launched from Sinai to southern Israel

Israeli military sources said on Friday that two rockets were fired from the Sinai Peninsula towards southern Israel, near the Gaza Strip. They exploded in open space and caused no damage or loss of life, Israeli media reported.

Officials immediately blamed ISIS-affiliated groups in Sinai for attempting to drag Israel into a war with them in the wake of a series of attacks on Egyptian troops. According to the Times of Israel, ISIS released a statement in which it claimed responsibility for the rockets. “Three Grad rockets were fired at Jewish positions in occupied Palestine,” said the statement on Twitter.

The launch of the rockets, the Israeli newspaper revealed, set off “Colour Red” warning sirens in Eshkol Regional Council, which is located next to the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula.

Two days ago, “ISIS in Sinai” launched a series of attacks on Egyptian army bases, killing and wounding dozens. The army hit back and announced early on Friday that it had regained full control over Sinai after killing, wounding and arresting dozens of people who it claimed are terrorists.

The army also arrested and later killed 13 Muslim Brotherhood leaders in October Sixth City, near Cairo, on the pretext that they were behind the attacks.