GAZA, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Saraya al-Quds, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement, claimed responsibility for shelling the Israeli towns and settlements in the Negev area on Thursday.

    The group said in a leaflet that its militants managed to fire several homemade rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot and settlement of "Natif Asra" in western Negev.

    "We in the Saraya claim responsibility for the attacks as a response to the killing of fighter Youssef Hassis and the arrest of the Jihad leader Hamza Qa'qora in the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin," said the leaflet.

    Meanwhile, Israeli army spokesman said that at least three homemade rockets were fired at the Israeli towns in the Negev area from the northern Gaza Strip early Thursday, causing no casualties.Enditem