The IDF struck multiple targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday night after a rocket fired from there landed in an open area in southern Israel earlier in the evening.
Airstrikes and tank fire targeted multiple sites in areas near Rafiah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF confirmed that airstrikes had targeted infrastructure used for underground operations by Hamas and that tanks had targeted military posts used by the terror group.
Earlier in the evening, one rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into the Eshkol Regional Council also in southern Israel. As the rocket fell in an open area, no sirens were sounded and an alert was only issued in the open area.No group claimed responsibility for the rocket fire as of Tuesday morning.
This is the first rocket fired from Gaza since May 6. The rocket fire comes amid heightened tensions concerning the planned annexation of parts of the West Bank and as terrorists in the Strip renewed launches of incendiary and explosive balloons last week.
Earlier on Monday, a Lebanese newspaper reported that Gaza terrorists had agreed to halt the balloon launches after millions of dollars in Qatari funds were approved to be transferred to the Strip. Qatari officials later stated that the funds had already been approved and would be delivered this week or next week.
Additionally, Hamas announced on Monday the launching of “activities to confront the annexation project,” a reference to Israel’s intention to extend sovereignty to parts of the West Bank.
“The launching of activities and the continued confrontation against the annexation plan is an encouraging initiative for all of our people to join a broad national front to face the occupation and the schemes of the US administration,” Salah Bardaweel, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, told reporters.Anna Ahronheim and Khaled Abu Toameh contributed to this report.