JERUSALEM, Israel - The Israel Air Force targeted a rocket-launching cell in the northern Gaza Strip early Friday, killing one terrorist, wounding three others and destroying the launch pad.

"One terrorist was killed in the strike. The terrorist is known to belong to the Jaljalatt terror organization, a Salafist movement operating in the Gaza Strip, with influence from al-Qaeda," a statement released by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Spokesman's Office read.

The Spokesman's Office said the IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization responsible and "will respond to any attempt" to disrupt the "calm" in southern Israel.

Gaza-based Palestinians fired five mortar shells on western Negev communities on Thursday evening. No injuries or property damage was reported.

Since the beginning of the year, Palestinian terrorists have fired approximately 770 Kassam rockets, Mortar shells and Grad missiles on southern Israeli cities and towns.

Meanwhile, IDF reservists stationed close to the border with Egypt near Eilat, Israel's southernmost resort town, thwarted a potential terror attack on Thursday when they ordered an Arab man carrying a heavy backpack to halt.

The man fled, shedding the backpack, which contained a 33-pound bomb. IDF sappers later detonated the bomb in a controlled explosion.

Source: YNet news