Hamas fires its longest range rockets at Israel

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas fired Grad rockets at Israel on Friday, the longest range missile they have ever claimed to shoot at the Jewish state, a statement from the armed wing of the Islamist group said.

Israeli rescue services said five rockets struck the southern coastal city of Ashkelon but caused no casualties, as gunmen escalated rocket attacks in response to Israeli strikes that have killed 10 militants since November 4.

A Hamas statement said its fighters had shot five 1960s-era Soviet-made Grad rockets at an Israeli town.