No one was wounded in Wednesday's attack but it marked a rare incident of rocket fire penetrating Israeli's aerial defense system. Only a handful of projectiles have struck the previously battered town since the conclusion of a 50-day war between Israel and Gaza militants in the summer of 2014.

Sirens wailed in Sderot warning of the incoming rocket, which landed near a school.

Israel's military typically responds to any rocket fire, holding Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for all attacks emanating from the territory.

Since the 2014 war, a cease-fire has largely held. But militants in Gaza occasionally launch rockets toward Israel.