Israeli warplanes struck a target in southern Gaza Strip on Thursday night by a rocket, no damages or injuries were reported, security sources and witnesses said Friday.

The witnesses said that Israeli F-16 warplanes fired a rocket at an empty land in the village of Abbassan east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, adding that they heard a huge explosion after the airstrike.

Hamas security sources said the Israeli rocket landed at an empty area near the village, adding that no injuries or damages were reported. Local ambulances and rescue teams arrived at the scene immediately.

The Israeli airstrike was carried out after Hamas militants fired earlier on Thursday four homemade mortar shells at an Israeli army patrol in eastern Gaza Strip.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2009)