Israel strikes in Gaza after rockets fired toward Jerusalem, West Bank

Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck four Islamic Jihad military outposts as well as mortar and rocket launch sites in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets strike an Islamic Jihad mortar launch site on May 12, 2023 (IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

For the first time in Operation Shield and Arrow, rocket sirens sounded in the West Bank, Gush Etzion and localities in the Judean mountains near Jerusalem at noon on Friday.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the Israeli military is striking Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip amid a heavy barrage of rockets launched toward Efrat, Beitar Ilit, Beit Shemesh, Gefen, Tirosh, Gva'ot, Har Gilo, Neve Daniel, Tzur Hadassah, Rosh Tzurim and Kfar Etzion.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck four Islamic Jihad military outposts as well as mortar and rocket launch sites in the Gaza Strip on Friday following a heavy barrage of rockets on Israel's South and the West Bank and Jerusalem area, the IDF said.

The military said it was striking more targets in the Strip later on Friday afternoon.

Rockets intercepted by Iron Dome, David's Sling above West Bank

Two rockets were intercepted by both Iron Dome and David's Sling missiles above the Judean mountains, according to defense sources.

The Israeli Air Force's David's Sling missile system successfully shot down a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday afternoon for the first time since its introduction to the IDF's operational arsenal.

 General view of the illegal settlement of Beit Yatir on November 29, 2006 (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
General view of the illegal settlement of Beit Yatir on November 29, 2006 (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

Rockets were also simultaneously launched at Gaza border communities and the Ashkelon area in southern Israel on Friday.