Overnight on Friday, Israel stated that its fighter jets targeted a manufacturing site producing weapons in the Gaza Strip in the latest unrest since a ceasefire ended May’s conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Security sources in Hamas said the break-ins hit these manufacturing sites and no casualties were reported. According to an Israeli army spokesperson, the air raid was carried out in response to the launch of incendiary balloons from Gaza towards Israeli settlements.
The statement said that “In response to the balloons directed towards Israeli lands, military fighter jets struck … a manufacturing site belonging to Hamas producing weapons.”
There was no instant indication as to which Gaza-based group was responsible for the launch of the balloons, though Israel holds Hamas responsible for the action.
The recent airstrike was the third time Israel has carried out air attacks in Gaza since the end of the 11-day offensive it launched on the besieged Strip in May this year.
The skirmish had killed at least 256 Palestinians, including 66 children, according to authorities in Gaza.
In Israel, 13 people, including two children, were killed by rockets fired, the Israeli police and army said. Egyptian and international mediators have been trying to shore up the informal ceasefire that ended the most recent conflict.
