By Aaron Boxerman, Times of Israel—
Israeli helicopter gunships and tanks attacked at least three sites in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday in response to a rash of airborne arson attacks that sparked more than 60 fires in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The IDF said its forces targeted “a military base, underground infrastructure and observation posts belonging to the Hamas terror group.”
The Hamas-linked Al-Resalah news said Israeli aircraft fired several missiles at “agricultural land” east of Rafah in southern Gaza, and two Hamas observation posts in central Gaza were shelled.
There was no immediate reports of casualties.
The IDF said the strikes were in response to the arson attacks over the last week and noted that Israel holds Hamas responsible for all violence emanating from the territory.
The strikes came hours after Israeli leaders threatened Gaza’s Hamas rulers that Israel would take “forceful” action if the airborne arson attacks were not brought under control.
Balloon-borne incendiary devices launched from the Gaza Strip sparked at least 60 fires in southern Israel throughout the day, according to firefighters. Officials said most were small fires, but some caused damage.
Tensions on the Gaza border have intensified in recent days, with balloon-borne incendiary devices igniting a number of fires across southern Israel. The Hamas terror group, which rules the Strip, has also threatened to renew rocket fire and there have been a number of small fire exchanges. No injuries have been reported. Continue Reading….