Israeli town strikes over rockets

Israeli town under rocket fire

Israelis in the southern town of Sderot are holding a general strike over what they see as the government's failure to stop Palestinian rocket fire.

Vehicles were used to block roads into the town and schools were closed. The local authority said it would turn off the streetlights in the evening.

Earlier on Tuesday, at least two rockets were fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israel.

One landed in a field near Sderot, causing no damage.

Another landed inside Gaza.

Just under 180 missiles have been fired into southern Israel over the last month. Casualties and injuries from the rocket attacks are rare, but people in Sderot say their quality of life has plummeted.

The Israeli military has been firing more than 1,500 artillery shells into Gaza, targeting what it says are rocket-launching sites used by militants. It has also carried out a number of air strikes.

About 20 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks. Palestinian militants have vowed to continue firing rockets, saying they are responding to Israeli attacks.

Tractors sealed off the entrances and exits to the town, which lies about a kilometre from the border with the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of protestors gathered at intersections, causing traffic to build up briefly before cars were allowed through.

Although highly inaccurate, the primitive Palestinian rockets have caused several deaths, injury and damage over recent years.

Residents of Sderot are highly critical of the Israeli government, calling on the army to take much tougher action to stop the Palestinian rocket fire.