国际英语新闻：Gaza military group claims responsibility for firing rocket at Israel

GAZA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) armed group claimed responsibility on Friday for launching a Russian-made Grad rocket from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel.

The group said in a leaflet sent to Xinhua that armed members of Salah al-Dein Brigades, the armed wing of the PRC, fired a Grad rocket from the Gaza Strip at the southern costal Israeli town of Ashkelon.

"Firing the rocket is a continuation of the strategy of Jihad ( Holy War) and resistance," said the group, which threatened to resume rockets attack, adding "the Arab states' cover to start the absurd negotiations will be useful."

Israeli Radio reported that a Russian-made Grad rocket was fired early Friday from the Gaza Strip at southern Israeli costal town of Ashkelon with no injuries reported.

The Israeli army spokesman told the radio that militants from Gaza fired the rocket at a populated area in the town.

The spokesman said that the rocket caused a huge explosion and damaged a building and several cars parking in the area. Two women were also taken to hospital for treatment of panic.

The radio also reported that on Friday afternoon, two mortar shells were fired from Gaza at southern Israel, adding that another roadside bomb was detonated, with no injuries reported.

The Israeli army has threatened earlier that it would respond to any rocket attack fired from the Gaza Strip.

In late December 2008, the Israeli army carried out a three- week offensive on the Gaza Strip that the Jewish state said aimed to prevent Palestinian militants from firing rockets at Israel.