The Israeli Air Force launched a retaliatory strike in the Gaza Saturday night in response to rocket fire into Israeli territory from the coastal Strip.

The targets of the airstrike were a terror tunnel in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and two terror activity sites in the central strip. The IAF confirmed direct hits.

Open gallery view Israel Air Force F-16 taking off on a mission. Credit: AP

The tunnel was allegedly created to assist terrorists in infiltrating Israel and execute attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Adham Abu Selmeya, Gaza emergency chief, told reporters that no injuries were reported. However, the explosions kept the population awake.

Gaza militants fired two Qassam rockets into the western Negev early Saturday morning, Army Radio reported, with one of the missiles hitting an open field at the Eshkol regional council; no injuries or damages were reported.

Last month, Grad rockets were fired at the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva, several hours after the Israel Defense Forces fired at a group of militants on the Gaza border, wounding 11.

The IAF retaliated, launching an airstrike in East Gaza City that reportedly wounded three Islamic Jihad militants.

The air force also targeted a car belonging to Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip. According to Hamas officials, Israeli aircraft fired missiles at a vehicle in the Al Salaam area of Rafah, killing one person and wounding several others.

The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike and said the targets were terror operatives.