IAF strikes Gaza strip in response to mortar shell fire

IDF spokesman says air force struck terror base in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip; holds Hamas responsible.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Gaza tunnel destroyed 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Gaza tunnel destroyed 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
The IAF on Friday struck a terror base in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip, according to the IDF spokesman. 
The IDF confirmed they were direct hits and no injuries were reported.
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The IDF spokesman said that the air strike was in response to mortar fire from the Strip into Israeli territory on Thursday.
The mortar shell launched from Gaza fell in Sdot Negev on Thursday morning. No injuries or damage were reported.
In a statement issued, the IDF spokesman said that it "holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it."
The spokesman said the IDF would also "continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel."
On Tuesday, in a joint operation with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Service), the IAF struck a terror base in central Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip.
The IDF spokesperson said that the airstrikes were in response to Kassam fire from the Strip into Israeli territory Tuesday afternoon.