Shrapnel from rockets or Iron Dome interceptors struck four sites in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, injuring two, Wednesday evening, in the latest escalation of violence by Hamas — the terrorist group that exercises complete military and political control over the Gaza Strip — The Times of Israel reported.

According to Israeli authorities eight rockets were fired from Gaza following an exchange of fire between terrorists in Gaza and the IDF.

Terrorists had fired on a civilian Israeli construction vehicle near the border with Gaza. An Israeli tank targeted a Hamas outpost in retaliation.

One of the injured men was injured by shattered glass in an apartment complex in Sderot. The other man was also reported to be injured by glass shrapnel. Eight people, including two pregnant women, were treated for panic attacks.

Footage from Sderot showed heavy damage to a home and several cars hit by rockets, as well as shrapnel riddling an apartment building.

The latest uptick in violence comes against the backdrop of reported ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. According to reported terms of the deal, Hamas would be required to stop shooting rockets and guns at Israel. It would also be required to end the practice of sending incendiary kites and balloons into Israel.

At least 11 fires were sparked in southern Israel on Wednesday by airborne arson devices launched from the coastal enclave.

In a conference call hosted by The Israel Project, Kobi Michael, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv and the former deputy director-general at the Strategic Affairs Ministry, described the end of these attacks by Hamas as a first step in the ceasefire agreement. In return, Israel would reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza to full capacity and Egypt would reopen the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

[Photo: Doron Kolbon / YouTube ]