Gaza City, 22 October (AKI ) - Israeli warplanes on Thursday attacked a building alleged to have been used for the manufacturing of weapons, as well as two smuggling tunnels in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Israeli media says the attack was in response to a Qassam rocket launched from Gaza late on Wednesday. The homemade rocket fell on open ground and did not cause any damage or injuries.

Palestinian media, however, says that no armed militant group has claimed responsibility for such an attack.

Qassam rockets have killed 28 Israelis, Palestinians and foreign workers since November, 2001 according to The Israel Project non-profit organisation.

Approximately 55 rockets and mortar shells have been launched at Israel during the last three months, totalling more than 250 since the end of Operation Cast Lead and more than 750 in 2009, the Israel Defence Forces said in a statement, quoted by Israeli daily Haaretz.

The Israeli offensive, entitled 'Operation Cast Lead' took place in December 2008 and January 2009. Israel began the operation with the stated aim of ending the rocket attacks from Gaza.

According to Amnesty International's latest report, Israeli forces killed over 1,400 Palestinians and injured at least 5,400 others during the operation.

More than 900 of these were civilians, including 300 children and 115 women.