IAF airstrike in Gaza (archive)
IAF airstrike in Gaza (archive)AFP photo

The Israeli Air Force struck a terrorist target in northern Gaza Monday night, after a rocket was fired at the Ashkelon region, according to the IDF. 

AFP reports that the target was a terror cell preparing another rocket launch into Israel. 

Palestinian Arab media sources claim that at least one person has been killed and three injured in the IAF strike. 

The rocket did not hit a populated area and no injuries or damage were reported. 

Rocket fire from Gaza has increased over the past month. At least seven other rockets have been launched into the Eshkol region and Negev communities since February 3. 

IDF officials near the border confirmed that the strike, in the northern Gaza city of Bayt Hanun, was in retaliation for the rocket attack earlier Monday. 

"Israel Air Force aircraft targeted terrorists preparing to launch rockets in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF officially stated Monday night. "The mission was carried out in order to eliminate an imminent attack targeting civilian communities of southern Israel."

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and will continue to operate against anyone who activates terror into Israeli territory," the IDF continued.