Israel intercepts rocket targeting Eilat resort cityAugust 13, 2013 - 09:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Iron Dome anti-missile battery intercepted a rocket targeting Eilat resort shortly after 1:00 am on Tuesday, Aug 13, Haaretz reported. The incident marks the first time the Iron Dome system has intercepted a rocket over the southern resort city, and comes two days after Egyptian reports of an Israeli drone strike which killed five militants at a rocket-launching site in northern Sinai. The apparent attack comes at the height of the tourist season. Warning sirens were heard in Eilat after 1:00 am, and residents reported hearing two explosions thereafter. Israel Police in Eilat confirmed that the Iron Dome system successfully intercepted the incoming rocket, and that no damage or casualties were caused in the city. Last week, Eilat's airport was closed by order of the military, apparently due to security threats in the neighboring Sinai Peninsula. Following the order, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that "civilian airports are managed in coordination with the Israel Air Force and Israel Airports Authority, in accordance with security assessments." On Sunday, Egyptian security officials said five suspected Islamic militants were killed and a rocket launcher was destroyed in a drone strike in the northern Sinai Peninsula. Residents heard a large explosion Friday in the region near the border with Israel. The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, said the attack was perpetrated by an Israeli drone, and was carried out in cooperation with Egyptian authorities. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson stated that the army was not responding to the reports. In April, two rockets fired from the Sinai Peninsula hit Eilat. Police said no casualties or damage were reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |