The Israel Defense Forces attacked a number of sites in Gaza on Thursday night, after six Qassam rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the number of rockets fired into Israel this month to 15.
Residents in communities bordering the Gaza Strip have been told to remain on constant alert.
On Thursday morning, a Qassam rocket landed in an open field in the Sha'ar Hanegev region, next to the northeastern Gaza Strip. That afternoon, another rocket landed in an open field in the Ashkelon beach region, further north along the coast. Later in the day, two more rockets fell near a kibbutz in Sha'ar Hanegev.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
Following the rocket attacks, Israel Air Force planes on Thursday night bombed two tunnels in southern Gaza and one further north used by terrorists to smuggle weapons and ammunition. We will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens or soldiers, an IDF official said.
All three targets sustained direct hits, and the airplanes returned safely to their bases late Thursday.
The IDF official said the Israeli military had a clear mission and would continue to respond decisively to terrorist activity or the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip where and when it deems fit. The Hamas terrorist organization is in charge [in Gaza] and therefore it is responsible.
Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has increased of late, but the IDF says it does not define the latest round as an escalation because the rockets had not caused any significant property damage or injuries. Although Hamas is not directly responsible for the latest rocket attacks, an IDF official said on Thursday that the organization has loosened its grip on [terrorist] organizations and this is unacceptable.
"Hamas has already proven that it can stop the shooting on Israel, if it wants to, the official said. The IDF reserves the right to respond to all attacks, responding when and where it decides.
טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו