GAZA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The armed wing of Hamas, Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, said Friday that it has fired a long-range rocket at Israel's Knesset (parliament).

There has been no immediate comment from Israel.

Hamas al-Aqsa satellite channel reported that this is the first time that Hamas fires a rocket of this range, considering the attack on the Israeli Knesset "a surprise."

Hamas said the attack is part of its campaign aimed at responding to an Israeli military operation against Gaza that begun on Wednesday.

Israel started "Operation Pillar of Defense" Wednesday with killing the leader of Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades.

Friday's firing of long-range rocket from Gaza comes shortly after Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil finished a brief visit to the enclave ruled by Hamas to show solidarity.

The Israeli attacks have killed 20 Palestinians so far, at least nine of them civilians.