Israeli aircraft targeted a Hamas site in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday night after terrorists in the enclave allegedly launched a number of balloons carrying suspected explosives and incendiary devices into Israel, the military said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the retaliatory strike targeted “underground infrastructure belonging to the Hamas terror group in the northern Gaza Strip”.
On Thursday, after almost six months without an incendiary balloon attacks, five fires broke out in the Gaza border communities in Israel. At least three of them were caused by incendiary balloons.
A balloon carrying an explosive device was also found in the Arad industrial zone.
Defence Minister Benny Gantz said: “The State of Israel will not accept any violation of sovereignty and harm to the residents of the south. In Gaza, it should be understood that there is no other solution – only returning our boys home and peace will lead to economic growth in the Gaza Strip. If the terrorist organisations have not yet understood: Whoever puts Israel to the test will be severely harmed”.
This is the second time this week that there has been an escalation between Israel and Gaza. Overnight Sunday, the IDF attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip after the terror group fired rockets into Israeli territory. No Israelis were injured in the incident, though some damage was reported.
