ESHKOL REGION, Israel - Palestinians in the Gaza Strip resumed rocket attacks on southern Israel Wednesday evening, as the week-long Passover holiday ended.

The Kassam rocket, which hit near the security fence at the border, preceded the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell.

No one was injured in the explosion, nor was there any property damage.

The rocket attack, which was the first in two weeks, came hours before Sephardic Jews (of Spanish, North African or Middle Eastern descent) began the Mimouna festival, celebrated at the end of Passover.

The festival had its origin among Moroccan Jews, who taught that on this night, heaven is open in a special way to prayer.

The name Mimouna, which is partially Arabic, comes from the Hebrew word emunah (faith) and is based on the Passover story -- the Israelites redemption from Egyptian slavery -- but also celebrates the future redemption when of the Jewish people.