IAF bombs Hamas targets in response to rocket attacks
The Israel Air Force (IAF) bombed several Hamas terror targets in the Gaza Strip on Friday night in response to several rocket attacks on civilian targets in Israel.
Rockets launched from Gaza. (Majdi Fathi/TPS)
Terrorists in Gaza fired two rockets toward the Israeli city of Ashkelon of over 135,000 Israelis. One of the rockets was intercepted by the IDF Iron Dome Defense Array and the other exploded in an open space.
A second barrage of two rockets set off sirens in several areas and exploded in open spaces.
In response, the IAF targeted one of Hamas’ “most significant rocket production sites” in Gaza, the IDF stated. “This strike will significantly impede Hamas’ force-building capabilities,” the military claimed.
The IAF also bombed a Hamas military site with a facility for the production of weapons, and another military site with an underground production workshop for rocket raw materials in the central Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in response to the IAF strike that it was an “intimidation of innocent people in the context of crimes and terrorist behavior that does not stop against our people everywhere.” Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum added that “the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and the escalation came directly after Biden’s visit. They reflect the extent of American assistance that Israel is receiving to continue its crimes.”
The last similar attack occurred about a month ago.
Following the attacks, Defence Minister Benny Gantz decided to freeze the increase of another 1,500 work permits for workers from Gaza
“Hamas is responsible for everything that happens in Gaza – and it will bear the consequences,” the Ministry of Defense stated.
The other workers from Gaza, 14,000 in total, will be able to enter Israel as usual for work.
Reports say that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel clarified in a phone call with Israel’s National Security Adviser Eyal Hulta that the terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip have no intention of escalating the security situation with Israel and the expanding rocket fire, and that Egypt is trying to calm the situation.
The attacks did not continue on Saturday night.
