An Israeli military spokesman cited by Reuters said the incident was under investigation. Local media reported that several residents had heard sounds similar to those of an explosion.
#Izrael — "czerwony alert" w centralnym Izraelu, w tym w Tel Awiwie. Włączone zostały syreny alarmowe. Nieoficjalnie: z terytorium Strefy Gazy w stronę Tel Awiwu wystrzelono co najmniej kilka rakiet (prawdopodobnie zostały one "przechwycone"). #Israel
— Świat21 (@swiat21) 14 марта 2019 г.
pic.twitter.com/3klUsQoLGF
The press service of the Israel Defence Forces confirmed that the sirens had sounded for the first time since summer 2014. At least two missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip toward the Tel Aviv area, Reuters reported, citing local media. One rocket was intercepted by the anti-missile Iron Dome system, according to media reports.
"Two launches from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory were registered", the IDF press service said in a press release.
Israel's Channel 10 news said Thursday, citing anonymous military officials, that one of the rockets landed in an uninhabited area, and that there were no reports of injuries.
In Gaza, both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, an allied group, issued statements denying any responsibility for the attack, which came just over three weeks ahead of Israel's 9 April election, according to AFP.
However, IDF said Friday they could confirm that the rockets fired from Gaza at Tel Aviv earlier "were launched by the Hamas".
We can confirm that the rockets fired from #Gaza at #TelAviv earlier tonight were launched by the Hamas terrorist organization.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 15, 2019
The IDF had previously made public intelligence about an alleged new Hezbollah-affiliated terror cell operating in Syria's Golan Heights.
Tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians near the fence separating Gaza from Israel have been mounting since last March, which marked the beginning of the Great March of Return. The situation on the Gaza border has reportedly escalated due to continued shelling and launches of arson balloons from Gaza into the Israeli territory, and the shooting and killing of protesters, medics, journalists and children near the border by IDF soldiers.
READ MORE: IDF Says Israeli Air Force Strikes Hamas Base in Response to Missile Launch