IAF strikes underground rocket launchers in Gaza following rocket attacks on Israel
Israel strikes in response to 2 rockets fired from Gaza Strip; targeted site connected to Hamas' armed group.
By YAAKOV LAPPINIAF jet 370(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Israel Air Force struck two underground rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday morning, in response to earlier rocket fire on the Ashkelon region.Palestinian sources reported that the IAF strike targeted a site belonging to Hamas’s Kassam Brigades terrorist group.No injuries were reported in the IAF strike, according to Palestinian news agency Ma’an.Earlier on Monday, the Iron Dome anti-rocket system intercepted a Palestinian projectile fired from the Gaza Strip toward the southern city of Ashkelon, the IDF said.A second Palestinian rocket slammed into an uninhabited area in the Ashkelon coast area, an army spokeswoman added. There were no injuries or damage in the attacks, which triggered a Color Red rocket alert.Throughout Monday, Israeli farmers whose land is adjacent to the Gaza border were instructed by the IDF Southern Command to refrain from working their farms for their safety, due to concerns about armed attacks from Gaza. The IDF will likely lift the guidelines on Tuesday.The Palestinian rocket fire came a day after two mortar shells fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel and coincided with the announcement of the names of 26 Palestinian security prisoners set to be released by Israel on Tuesday.The rocket, fired from the Gaza Strip, is the first to activate the Iron Dome in several months.In August, an Iron Dome battery intercepted a rocket fired by terrorists in Sinai at the Red Sea city of Eilat.Interceptors fired by the battery blew up the incoming rocket over Eilat’s skies shortly before 1 a.m. on August 13.
The rocket had triggered an air raid siren, sending residents and tourists fleeing for cover.It was the first time Iron Dome went into action over Eilat.The IDF mobilized a battery to Eilat in July following increased terrorist activities in the Sinai Peninsula.In June, the IDF stationed an Iron Dome battery in the Haifa region, amid increased regional tensions with Syria.Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.
