IAF aircraft struck two centers of terrorist activity in southern and northern Gaza overnight Thursday, according to a statement by the IDF Spokesperson.

Direct hits were identified and all aircraft returned to their bases safely, the statement said.

The air strikes came in response to the latest firing of rockets and missiles from Gaza towards southern Israel.

On Thursday evening, a pair of Qassam rockets fired from northern Gaza struck near a roadway between the Sha’ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev regional councils in the Negev region.

A Grad missile also landed in the outskirts of Beer Sheva. No physical injuries or property damage were reported from the attacks.

Local sources said the “Color Red” alert siren was not initiated in the Gaza belt during the attack. Security officials said they are investigating the failure.

Shortly before midnight, the attacks resumed and several Qassam rockets in open areas in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council. There were no reports of physical injuries or damage.

Also, a Grad missile was launched from Gaza and exploded near Netivot. There were no reports of physical injuries or damage.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers and will continue to act decisively and strongly against anyone who uses terrorism against Israel,” said the IDF’s statement.

The latest rocket attacks come after the IDF killed two Palestinian Authority Arab terrorists in an air strike on a vehicle in Gaza.

One of the two dead was a senior terror mastermind who had coordinated numerous attacks against Israeli civilians.

Both were members of a terrorist cell belonging to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades organization, according to the IDF, who added the cell had been planning to infiltrate Israel’s border to carry out another attack