RELATED:IDF deploys Iron Dome battery outside BeershebaIDF commander warns of growing anarchy in GazaIslamic Jihad released a statement saying that the man killed was a member of their organization. One other Islamic Jihad operative was reported injured in the strike.Earlier on Wednesday morning IAF aircraft struck a smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesperson reported that the force recorded a direct hit on the target.According to an IDF statement the operation came in response to a Kassam rocket fired into southern Israel on Tuesday. All IAF aircraft involved in the mission returned safely to their bases, according to the statement.The IDF spokesperson added that it would not allow the communities neighboring Gaza to remain under constant threat of attack and would act forcefully against any attempt to injure the citizens of Israel.Earlier this week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is not interested in an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but that attacks on southern Israel will not be tolerated."In the last two weeks there have been parties attempting to disturb peace and security," said Netanyahu prior to Sunday's cabinet meeting. "We don't want to escalate the situation but we will not hesitate to activate the strength of the IDF," he added.
IAF kills Islamic Jihad militant, strikes tunnel
Israeli Air Force responds to Kassam with multiple attacks in southern Gaza Strip; Islamic Jihad says one member killed, another wounded.
RELATED:IDF deploys Iron Dome battery outside BeershebaIDF commander warns of growing anarchy in GazaIslamic Jihad released a statement saying that the man killed was a member of their organization. One other Islamic Jihad operative was reported injured in the strike.Earlier on Wednesday morning IAF aircraft struck a smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesperson reported that the force recorded a direct hit on the target.According to an IDF statement the operation came in response to a Kassam rocket fired into southern Israel on Tuesday. All IAF aircraft involved in the mission returned safely to their bases, according to the statement.The IDF spokesperson added that it would not allow the communities neighboring Gaza to remain under constant threat of attack and would act forcefully against any attempt to injure the citizens of Israel.Earlier this week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is not interested in an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but that attacks on southern Israel will not be tolerated."In the last two weeks there have been parties attempting to disturb peace and security," said Netanyahu prior to Sunday's cabinet meeting. "We don't want to escalate the situation but we will not hesitate to activate the strength of the IDF," he added.