IAF aircraft attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight on Thursday, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported. The airstrikes were targeting underground infrastructure used by the organization's military wing, the Qassam Brigades.
“In response to mortars and explosive balloons launched from #Gaza into #Israel over the last day, our Air Force just struck a number of Hamas terror targets in Gaza. We hold Hamas responsible,” the IDF tweeted.
In response to mortars and explosive balloons launched from #Gaza into #Israel over the last day, our Air Force just struck a number of Hamas terror targets in Gaza. We hold Hamas responsible.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 6, 2020
Last Tuesday night, air raid sirens went off in the southern city of Netivot after a barrage of three rockets was launched toward the city. Over the last week, six instances of rocket launches toward the Gaza Border Communities have been reported.
On Monday, the Israeli media website Walla News reported that there were concerns among officials in the defense establishment over the possibility of pressure from Iran and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad possibly leading to an escalation of the violence.
The relative calm between the Gaza factions and the IDF was interrupted when tensions grew over US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, also known as the Deal of the Century.
In addition to the rockets dozens of incendiary balloons and other devices carrying explosives were launched from the strip toward the Gaza border communities in southern Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that if the attacks continue, the IDF is ready to take military action in the Gaza Strip before the March 2 general election.