Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza Hamas sites after rocket attack

Israeli officials said they conducted the strikes in response to an earlier rocket attack by militants that saw a kindergarten in southern Israel hit on Friday.

“In response to the rocket attack that hit Sderot last night IAF targeted 4 sites in Gaza, components of #Hamas’ operational infrastructure”, IDF spokesman Peter Lerner said in his official Twitter account.

Local sources said Israeli warplanes launched rockets at two sites reportedly used by al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, in the southern part of Gaza City, and targeted missiles at five other locations allegedly used by al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad. There were no reports of damage or injuries in the incident.

Attacks and counter attacks have been sporadic since the summer war of 2014.

The attacks prompted Israel to send hundreds of troops to the area and impose a closure on the Hebron district, where numerous recent attacks have originated. His Cabinet will convene late Saturday to discuss further measures.

Over the past nine months Palestinians have carried out dozens of stabbings, shootings and attacks using cars against civilians and security forces, killing 34 Israelis and two visiting Americans.

Decrying the way the report by the Quartet – made up of the USA, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russian Federation – equates the Palestinian people and the Israeli occupiers, Madani said: “The report is not objective while describing Israel’s occupation and its illegal policies which hinder a political solution”.

Israel says the violence is fueled by a Palestinian campaign of lies and incitement, compounded on social media sites that glorify and encourage attacks.

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