A Qassam rocket landed in southern Israeli western Negev area on Wednesday afternoon, Army Radio reported.

The rocket landed next to one of the kibbutz in the area, the report said, adding that there is no report of injuries or damage so far.

According to the website of local daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli security forces are trying to locate the precise landing location of the rocket.

So far, 16 Qassam rockets have been fired by Palestinian militants into Israel since a truce between Israel and Palestinians took effect on Nov. 26 under which Israel withdrew forces from the Gaza Strip in exchange for stopping rocket attacks against Israel.

However, the ceasefire seems short-lived as rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups continued.

In face of continuous rocket attacks, Israeli Security Cabinet voted on Sunday to maintain a policy of restraint in Gaza but Defense Minister Amir Peretz clearly rejected extension of the ceasefire to the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday expressed his hope that the fragile truce would continue and lead to a diplomatic process.

Source: Xinhua