Two rockets fired at Israel from Gaza, IDF hits Hamas targets in response

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets at Israel on Friday evening, The Times of Israel reports, citing the military.

The rockets apparently fell in open areas and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Israel Defense Forces aircraft carried out retaliatory strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, the army said.

Rocket warning sirens sounded in communities near the Gaza Strip, sending thousands of residents to bomb shelters as they were celebrating the Shabbat evening meal.

One rocket landed in an open area in the Sha’ar Hanegev region, while the second apparently fell within the Strip.

The IDF said in a statement that it had carried out airstrikes in response to the rocket fire.

“A short while ago, IDF fighter jets targeted Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip,” the IDF said in a statement.

“During the strike, a rocket manufacturing workshop and a weapons manufacturing facility belonging to the Hamas terror organization were struck. This strike will impede the Hamas terror organization’s future abilities,” the statement said. “The IDF views any kind of terror activity aimed at Israel with great severity and will continue operating as necessary against attempts to harm Israeli civilians.”

The IDF said it holds Hamas responsible for all events in the Strip and emanating from the territory, and that the terror group would “bear the consequences” for attacks against Israel.

Palestinian media reported IDF strikes in the southern and central areas of the Strip.

In an immediate response, an IDF tank fired a shell at a Hamas observation post to the east of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Hamas-linked al-Resalah news reported.

Later, Hamas-linked media reported IAF strikes on a Hamas military site west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Loud explosions were heard in the area. There was no immediate confirmation from the IDF.

The activation of the sirens came a day after the Hamas terror group, which rules Gaza, warned that Israel’s potential annexation of West Bank lands next week would be a “declaration of war.”

Besides the issue of annexation, there have also been tensions between Israel and Gaza-based terror groups over delays in the transfer of Qatari aid money to Gaza.