A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip by Palestinian fighters has exploded in the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon, the Israeli army has said.

The rocket caused damge but no one was injured, an Israeli army spokesman said.

The missile is the first to land in Ashkelon since Israel and Hamas, which has de facto control of Gaza, announced separate ceasefires on January 17 and January 18 respectively.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

More than 1,300 Palestinians, at least a third of whom were women and children, were killed in Israel's war on Gaza, which had the stated aim of preventing rocket attacks into Israel.

Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, died during the 22-day conflict.