Tel Aviv
Tel AvivReuters

A siren was heard on Friday evening in central Israel, including in Tel Aviv and the region, sending residents to protected spaces.

Shortly afterwards, a rocket that was fired from Gaza was intercepted over Holon, near Tel Aviv, by the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

A barrage of rockets was later fired towards southern Israel. At least five rockets were fired towards Ashdod, where a rocket hit a gas station Friday morning.

Two rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome. Three other rockets exploded in open areas.

According to Army Radio, the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket attack on Tel Aviv.

The terrorist organization said in a statement that it purposely fired the rocket while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was giving a speech about Operation Protective Edge, in order to harm the Prime Minister and his staff.

Meanwhile, two rockets exploded in open regions in the Sdot Negev region of southern Israel shortly after 8:20 p.m.

The rockets did not cause physical injuries or damages.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)