BY HAARETZ—
The Israel Defense Forces launched a retaliatory airstrike early Thursday against two Gaza city training facilities operated by the armed wing of the Islamist militant movement Hamas, witnesses and officials said
No casualties were reported.
Israeli F-16 jets flew shortly after midnight over the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, firing a missile at each of the two training camps of the al-Qassam Brigade in the east and west of the city, respectively, witnesses said.
The two facilities were destroyed, Hamas reported.
An Israeli army spokesman earlier told Israel Radio that several homemade rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward the Negev area in southern Israel, with no injuries reported. Two rockets landed near Lahish, while another two exploded near the south Israel city of Ashkelon.
Palestinians have expressed concern that a renewed escalation of violence could jeopardize a potential vote by the United Nations in September on their request for recognition of a Palestinian state.
The de facto Hamas government in Gaza reached an agreement several weeks ago with minor militant groups to stop launching rockets at Israel.
Some Islamist groups linked to al-Qaida have refused to be committed to the deal and claimed responsibility for the recent rocket attacks.
