Israel: Third rocket fired from Gaza Strip since summer conflict

A missile fired from the Gaza Strip has landed in southern Israel near the Gaza border, the third incident of rocket fire since the seven-week summer conflict.

No injuries or damage have been reported and it is believed that the rocket landed in an open area in Eshkol Regional Council.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are investigating the incident. IDF Spokesman Peter Lerner tweeted that "initial reports suggest a rocket hit an open area".

According to Israeli daily, Haaretz, the last rocket to be fired from the blockaded enclave was on 1 November.

Following the sirens and explosion in Eshkol, the head of the Eshkol Regional Council Haim Yellin said that a diplomatic solution must be found by Israeli politicians.

"Whoever thinks that a strong IDF response is the solution for quiet in the Gaza border communities does not understand that wars are decided by politicians, who with courage can bring peace and security.

"After Operation Protective Edge, the country had an opportunity to establish a long-term arrangement. Instead of this, we found ourselves with a ticking clock until the next escalation and war."

In the recent seven-week conflict between Israel and the militant faction Hamas, over 2,100 Palestinians - mostly civilians - lost their lives. All but five of the 68 Israeli fatalities were soldiers.