Tel Aviv  - Two upgraded Russian-type Grad rockets struck the southern Israeli city of Beersheba Tuesday night, for the first time since Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip began seven years ago.

An empty kindergarten was struck in the city as well as an open area just to the south of when the rockets fell after darkness, Israeli media reported.

Beersheba, often referred to as the "capital" of the southern Israeli Negev desert, is located almost 40 kilometres from the Gaza Strip and the furthest city hit by rockets launched from Gaza thus far.

With more than 186,000 residents, Beersheba is the seventh largest city in Israel.

Sirens wailed for the first time in the city, sending residents rushing to safe rooms and shelters. Israeli authorities were debating whether to close schools in the city Wednesday. Israel was likely to respond to the rockets as an escalation. (dpa)