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Netanyahu Convenes Urgent Meeting With Military After Missile Attack on Tel Aviv

© AP Photo / Sebastian ScheinerIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 - Sputnik International
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Earlier in the day, Israeli media reported that at least two missiles had been fired from the Gaza Strip toward the Tel Aviv area and that air raid sirens were triggered in the city. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that air raid sirens in Tel Aviv had sounded for the first time since summer 2014.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened an urgent meeting with senior military officials in order to plan the response to the recent attack, AP reports.

The Israeli military said that the attack marked a significant escalation that raised the likelihood of a harsh Israeli reprisal. It alleged that Palestinian militants had launched the missiles from the Gaza Strip, AP reports.

Ronen Manelis, the Israeli army's chief spokesman, said officials had no prior warning of the attack and were trying to determine who fired the rockets, as cited by AP. Israel holds Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for all fire out of the territory.    

Hamas' armed wing denied responsibility for the missile attack.

READ MORE: US Deploys THAAD Missile System to Israel (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Late on Thursday, two missiles were purportedly fired from Gaza. Local media reported that there were sounds similar to those of an explosion near Tel Aviv.

An Israeli military spokesman cited by Reuters said the incident was under investigation. 

"The alert and warning systems operated as required. No interceptions were made by aerial defence systems. No damage or injuries were reported," an army statement reads as cited by AFP.

Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai reportedly told media that one of the Gaza rockets "apparently fell into the sea, the other hit somewhere but not in Tel Aviv."    

Rocket is launched from a new Israeli anti-missile system known as Iron Dome. (File) - Sputnik International
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So far no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to AP.

Tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians near the Gaza border have been mounting since last March.Tel Aviv blames Hamas for the animosity of Gazans towards Israel as well as for arson balloons being launched over the Gaza border.

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