The IDF retaliated by attacking Hamas arms workshops and outposts. Gunfire was reported later on Saturday morning towards Kibbutz Netiv Ha’asara, on Gaza’s northern border.
Rocket sirens sounded in Ashkelon and Gaza border communities after a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel early Saturday morning, the IDF stated. The Iron Dome missile-defense system intercepted the rocket.
IDF aircraft retaliated by attacking a munitions workshop as well as three other Hamas positions, including one that overlooked Kibbutz Netiv Ha’asara on Gaza’s northern border, the military said in a statement. Gunfire from Gaza was directed at the kibbutz later on Saturday, according to Hebrew media reports. No casualties were reported.
The sirens sounded at 3:10 a.m., and residents in the area reported hearing explosions.
Palestinian reports said that two rockets were fired, but the IDF said that only one launch had been identified. An IDF spokesperson stated that the details are currently under investigation.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, southern Israel May 19, 2021. (credit: AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS)Violence began earlier on Friday
An Israeli observation balloon fell over Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon, with Palestinian reports claiming that the IDF struck the area shortly afterwards.
The reports claimed that Palestinian terrorist groups were able to seize the balloon, and the IDF initially stated that there was no concern of a significant leak of information and that the situation on the home front was routine.
However, a red alert was activated in an open area near the Erez Crossing due to warning shots fired by the military, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. Shortly afterwards, Palestinian media reported that at least two missiles were fired by Israel towards a target in an open area near the Erez Crossing in Gaza. Photos reportedly from the scene showed two smoke plumes after the strikes.
The attack took place after three Palestinians were killed in armed clashes with IDF forces in Jenin early Friday morning, after which the Jenin branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades warned that Israel would “pay a heavy price” for the incident.
Hamas also threatened to retaliate for the deaths, stating on its website that the “cowardly assassinations” will “not go unpunished.”
Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-709742.
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