Jerusalem: "Israeli forces struck a target in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in retaliation to a rocket attack from Gaza on southern Israel", authorities said on Wednesday.

A rocket was fired from the coastal territory of Gaza on Tuesday to an open area near southern Israel's Ashkelon city, reported Xinhua news agency.

No injuries have been reported.

"In response to this attack, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) struck the launcher from which the rocket was fired. A hit was confirmed," said a statement from the IDF.

Residents in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun said that Israeli war jets hovered over the area and fired one missile at an open area in the town.

No Palestinian group has yet claimed responsibility for Tuesday's rocket attack.

Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt on August 26, 2014, ending 50 days of fighting which had killed about 2,145 Palestinians and 70 Israelis.

(IANS)