IAF attacks Hamas targets in Gaza in response to incendiary balloons

Dozens of incendiary devices have been launched from the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave in the past two weeks.

JANUARY 26, 2020 08:16

A ball of fire is seen during an Israeli air strike in Gaza City May 4, 2019. (photo credit: SUHAIB SALEM / REUTERS) — A ball of fire is seen during an Israeli air strike in Gaza City May 4, 2019.

(photo credit: SUHAIB SALEM / REUTERS)

The Israeli Air Force attacked multiple sites belonging to the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night in response to a large number of incendiary and explosive balloons that have been launched from the Strip in the past two weeks, according to an IDF spokesperson.

Multiple explosions were heard at the Fajr site and other targets near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip and an additional explosion was heard in the central Gaza Strip.

Video from #IDF airstrikes earlier this evening against #Hamas positions in #Gaza. #Israel pic.twitter.com/vmjWqLSxDM
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The IDF stated that the sites targeted included a site used for producing weapons and a military compound containing infrastructure for collections.

"The IDF views with great severity all destructive activities of all types towards Israeli territory and will continue to act as necessary against attempts to harm [Israeli] citizens," said the IDF spokesperson, who added that Hamas is responsible for all actions in and from Gaza and will suffer the consequences for acts of terror against Israeli citizens.

In response to the airstrikes, Hamas spokesperson Hazam Kasam stated that the people will continue "in their struggle until the siege is lifted completely and we return the freedom of the citizens of the Gaza Strip."

Dozens of incendiary devices have been launched from the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave in the past two weeks.

A senior Hamas official said last week that the recent spate of explosive balloons that are being launched from the Gaza Strip was a signal to Israel to accelerate the unofficial agreement between the two sides.

Several balloons with an explosive device resembling a rocket propelled grenade attached to it landed outside Sde Boker in the Negev Desert on Saturday morning. Sde Boker is some 70 km. from the Gaza Strip.

Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.