Israeli army says projectile from Gaza hits southern Israel

JERUSALEM, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A projectile launched from the Gaza Strip hit an open field in southern Israel on Wednesday night, the Israeli army said.

As a result, sirens were raised in the regional council of Sha'ar Hanegev.

There were no reports of injuries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Aug. 18 that Israel will wage a war in Gaza "should it be necessary," referring to rockets and attempts by militants to infiltrate Israeli territory over the past weeks.

The Islamic Hamas Movement downplayed the threat as "useless."

Abdulatif al-Qanoua, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said Gaza's "armed resistance now is bigger than before and is able to foil any new plans."