IAF strikes three terror targets in the Gaza Strip

IDF says move a retaliation to escalating rocket fire from Gaza, comes after terrorists launched a Grad rocket at Netivot.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Smoke rises in Gaza after IAF air strike 370 (R) (photo credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters)
Smoke rises in Gaza after IAF air strike 370 (R)
(photo credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters)
The Air Force struck three terror targets in central and northern Gaza overnight Friday in response to Palestinian rocket fire on the southern town of Netivot.
Two of the targets were in central Gaza and the third was in the north of the Strip, the IDF Spokesman's Office said.
Palestinian medical sources said there were no injuries in the air strikes.
The attack came in response to a Palestinian Grad rocket fired at Netivot, which triggered air raid sirens before exploding in the backyard of a family home. The projectile sent shrapnel flying into the home, piercing the walls of the home's walls, including a child's bedroom.
"What if the child would have been there [in his room]?" the IDF Spokesman's Office asked on its official Twitter account.
IDF asks on its official Twitter account: What if this was your bedroom?
IDF asks on its official Twitter account: What if this was your bedroom?
One civilian was treated for shock and taken to hospital for further treatment, Negev police said.
The attack came after an escalation in Palestinian rocket fire on southern towns. The Israel Air Force struck a terror center in the northern part of the Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday, in response to continued rocket fire from the coastal territory. The IAF targeted a training camp belonging to Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades terrorist force. No injuries were reported in the strike.
Earlier Wednesday, Palestinian terrorists had fired rockets, which exploded in the western Negev - two rockets landed in Sderot and two in Netivot. The rockets landed in open areas. No injuries or damage were reported.
The IAF also hit terrorist tunnels in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, following several rockets fired earlier that day at the Negev.
On Monday, the IDF struck targets in Gaza from the air and land in response to a barrage of more than 30 rockets and mortar shells fired by Hamas and Islamic Jihad at farming districts in the South.
Jpost.com staff and Ben Hartman contributed to this report