JERUSALEM, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in southern Israel on Wednesday night, causing no injuries.

The rocket triggered sirens in several communities in the Eshkol Regional Council, an army spokesperson said in a statement.

A separate statement by the Eshkol Regional Council said no injuries or damage were reported.

According to Palestinian reports, the Israeli army fired with machine guns at an observation post belonging to Hamas, an Islamist group that runs Gaza.

Earlier this week, the Israeli government announced the beginning of construction of a new barrier to separate the besieged Palestinian enclave and Israel.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel "will not hesitate" to use force against the Gaza Strip if the protest near the fence continues.

Last March, Palestinians in Gaza launched the Great March of Return rally, with tens of thousands of Palestinians protest near the border fence between Gaza and Israel every week.

Israel accuses Hamas of orchestrating the anti-Israel rally, while Palestinians say the rally aims to fight the crippling blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza since 2007.