SDOT NEGEV REGIONAL COUNCIL - A Kassam rocket fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip heavily damaged a factory in a community in the Sdot Negev Regional Council.

"The rocket landed right next to the packing house. The equipment near the packing house was damaged and the building itself sustained damage from shrapnel," a local resident said.

"A Color Red siren was sounded at around 4:00 a.m, followed by a rocket that landed inside the community, near the packing house," said Avi Aptelboim, head of the community's rescue squad.

"The packing house sustained heavy damage and it won't be operating today. There were no injuries, thank God," he said.

Following the early morning attack, residents gathered at the community's synagogue to thank God that no one was injured.

Last week, a long-range rocket fired from Gaza exploded near a kibbutz in the same region, with no resulting property damage or personal injuries.

Earlier the same day, Palestinians fired two mortar shells at the same area, again without injuring anyone or damaging any property.

On Monday, an IAF (Israel Air Force) aircraft opened fire on a terror operative who launched an anti-tank missile at IDF forces patrolling near the security fence. Direct hits were identified, the IDF Spokesperson's Office reported.