JERUSALEM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel on Wednesday evening, causing no injuries, the army said.

"Earlier this evening, a projectile hit an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council," a military spokesman said in a statement.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The spokesman added that forces are searching the area to find the projectile.

Since Israel concluded a bloody 51-day military campaign in the Gaza Strip in 2014, Gaza militants occasionally fire rockets towards Israel, usually without causing injuries, and Israel retaliates with artillery and airstrikes.

"We have no intention to initiate a military action in Gaza but we have no intention to accept sporadic fire," Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Monday.

Hamas said Israel carried "full responsibility" for the recent "dangerous escalation."

Two weeks ago, Israeli tank and aircraft hit the Gaza Strip, minutes after militants fired gunshots towards an army vehicle near the fence.

Earlier in February, Israel struck Gaza with artillery and airstrikes that injured three Palestinians after a rocket was launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave, causing no injuries or damage.