IDF helicopters and jets carried out strikes in Gaza overnight in retaliation for explosive balloon attack; IDF: The Hamas terror organization is held accountable for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip last night in retaliation for ongoing attacks on Israel.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip sent balloons carrying explosives over the border again on Tuesday. There were no injuries or damages reported. The IDF Spokespersons Unit confirmed Wednesday, “Gaza terrorists used balloons to launch explosives into Israel. They’ve been doing this for over a year. In response to the attack, IDF aircraft struck a number of terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the northern Gaza Strip.”
The strikes via helicopters and fighter jets reportedly hit a Hamas military compound and several other terror targets, including launch sites of explosive balloons.
The IDF warned Hamas and Islamic Jihad factions in the Strip on Tuesday, “The IDF views any attempt to harm Israeli civilians with great severity and will continue to operate with determination against attacks. The Hamas terror organization is held accountable for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it.”
Meanwhile, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh threatened Israel on Tuesday and announced renewed efforts by Egypt to create a ceasefire with Israel. Speaking to journalists, Haniyeh declared, “If the [Israeli] occupation or Netanyahu think of an adventure, I think they will pay the price that will send them away.” When asked about Israel’s upcoming elections next month, he stated that Hamas “did not care who comes to rule the occupied state.” The Hamas leader claimed an Egyptian delegation would visit the Gaza Strip sometime this week to launch mediation in hopes to create another ceasefire.
Reports from Lebanon claim Israel warned Hamas of a wide-scale military intervention if attacks on Israel’s border and IDF soldiers would not desist. The IDF did not comment on these reports.
The IDF last carried out strikes on the Gaza Strip on Monday, also in retaliation for explosive balloons. Arson and explosive attacks through balloons have caused devastation to Israel’s agriculture and land. A reported 6,400 acres of Israeli territory has been burned and destroyed from Hamas attacks in one year. Hamas attack methods have included explosives balloons, arson kites and “involved shootings, grenades, firebombs, improvised explosive devices, and other weapons. Mines and booby-traps have been placed on the border to be detonated on IDF patrols.”
Photo: Andreas Zeitler/Shutterstock.com
