Israel said a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into its southern territory, forcing Prime Minister to be hustled from a stage during an election rally in the city of Ashkelon.

The Israeli military said its air defense system, known as Iron Dome, intercepted the rocket. There were no reports of casualties.

Benjamin Netanyahu was taken to a shelter as he was campaigning hours before the primaries of his Likud party.

Early Thursday, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters carried out multiple strikes at three military bases for Hamas, the Islamic movement that rules Gaza, according to witnesses in Gaza. No casualties were reported as the sites have been empty.