Terrorists operating out of the Gaza Strip launched about 270 rockets towards central and southern Israel in Wednesday afternoon, including over 100 rockets in the space of one hour.

Rocket launch warning sirens were sounded Wednesday afternoon from the Gaza frontier to as far north as Rishon Letzion, Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan.

Sirens were first reported in Sderot and nearby towns, with sirens reported minutes later in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Lachish. Half an hour later, sirens were also reported in the Tel Aviv area.

A house in the southern town of Sderot was struck by a rocket. The home was empty at the time and no injuries were reported, though the building was damaged.

In response, Israeli forces bombed Islamic Jihad rocket launchers and mortar positions in the Gaza Strip, an IDF spokesperson said.

"The IDF targeted rocket and mortar shell launch sites belonging to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization along the Gaza Strip."

"A short while ago, following the identification of activities of terrorist squads adjacent to rocket launching pits, IDF fighter jets targeted rocket and mortar shell launch sites belonging to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization along the Gaza Strip. Civilians are asked to act according to the special instructions posted on the National Emergency Portal."

Following the rocket attacks, Prim Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to municipal leaders in the south by phone and told them: "We are ready for the possibility of an expanded campaign and harsh strikes against Gaza."