IAF aircraft strike terrorists in Gaza; 1 dead, 3 injured

A day after Grad rocket strikes Beersheba, IDF and Shin Bet operation reportedly targets vehicle carrying terrorist operatives in Rafah.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Gaza explosion in car with crowd (photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Gaza explosion in car with crowd
(photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
IAF aircraft struck against a number of terrorists in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday in a joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation that left one dead and three injured, according to Palestinian sources.
The IDF Spokesperson released a statement saying that the aircraft successfully hit their intended targets.
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According to Palestinian news agency Ma'an, a vehicle driving in the city of Rafah was targeted by the IDF.
Area residents reported hearing four separate explosions.
The Israeli operation came after a grad-model Katyusha rocket struck Beersheba on Wednesday night, the first such attack on the city since Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip over two years ago.
In an initial response late Wednesday, the IAF attacked an Islamic Jihad cell east of Gaza City, reportedly wounding three gunmen.
Shortly afterward, the Air Force attacked military targets throughout the Gaza Strip, causing heavy damage to buildings.
Palestinians reported that the IAF also attacked a large number of targets, including in Gaza City. Witnesses reported a "constant noise of fighter jets over Gaza."
The IDF confirmed the attack and said that direct targets were identified and that the attacks were carried out in response to the rocket fire.
The rocket landed in a courtyard near a villa in Beersheba at about 8.45 p.m., causing extensive damage to homes in the area but no casualties.
Sirens went off throughout the city just seconds before the rocket struck.
Four residents – two adults and two children – were treated for shock.