Israeli airstrikes target Gaza following breach of border, planting of explosives
Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked terror targets in northern Gaza early Monday following the infiltration on Sunday of three Palestinian terrorists who planted improvised explosive devices on the border fence with Israel.
An Israeli Air Force Jet.
Credit: Maj. Ofer via Wikimedia Common
“Hamas is solely responsible for everything going on in and out of the Gaza Strip, both above and below ground,” the Israel Defence Forces Spokesperson’s Unit said following the strike, adding that the IDF “will also not allow the cynical use of civilians to serve as a front of terror activities against Israeli civilians and army forces, and will respond to any such attempt.”
The infiltrators managed to enter Israel and affix the explosives, escaping back to Gaza despite being fired upon by IDF tanks.
The incident occurred in the wake of a string of infiltration attempts and attacks on the border fence under the auspices of the Hamas-led “March of Return” weekly rioting campaign.
At least 20,000 Palestinians participated in riots on the Gaza border with Israel on April 6, burning tires, throwing petrol bombs and attempting to breach the security barrier. Nine Palestinians were killed during the riots, with more than 400 injured.
Hamas is actively recruiting Gazans to breach the border with promises to pay financial compensation to the families of those whose family members were injured or killed in the demonstrations against Israel.
JNS
