The Israeli army issued a statement saying an air strike at the launching site had scored a direct hit [Reuters]

A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip has landed in a residential street in the Israeli city of Beersheba and Israel responded with air strikes in the Gaza Strip, officials on both sides said.

A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday caused serious damage to houses and cars but no casualties, Beersheba mayor Rubik Danilovich said. Earlier reports said the rocket had struck a house.

"One rocket fell, there are no casualties and security forces are in control of the situation," Danilovich told Israel's Channel 1 television.

Residents said they sought shelter in secure rooms after air raid sirens sounded in the area.

Israel’s response

Israel responded with a number of air strikes late into the night and there was a constant sound of jets flying overhead, Gaza residents said.

An earlier air strike east of Gaza City hit a group from the Islamic Jihad group, two of whom suffered moderate wounds, Gaza medical workers said.

Local residents in the area said they heard three rockets being launched from the spot where the air strike was aimed.

The Israeli army issued a statement saying an air strike at the launching site had scored a direct hit.

Beersheba is a large population centre in southern Israel, about 35 km (20 miles) east of the Gaza Strip. It has not been targeted since Israel's offensive on the coastal territory two years ago.