DHAKA: The Palestinian group Hamas had no role in a rocket attack on Israel from Lebanon and had nothing to do with a statement in the name of its armed wing that claimed responsibility for the attack late on Saturday.

Hamas officials in Lebanon said, reports The Straits Times.

Three rockets fired from Lebanon hit open areas near Nahariya in northern Israel on Saturday evening. Israel responded with artillery fire. There were no casualties.

The attack followed a similar rocket salvo from Lebanon on Friday.

The attacks from Lebanon coincided with an Israeli offensive on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip that Palestinian officials say has killed at least 160 people.

Militants in Gaza have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel during the latest hostilities.

Two Hamas officials in Lebanon said the group was not behind the rockets fired from Lebanon.

BDST: 2052 HRS, JUL 13, 2014