(VIDEO) Another Gaza strike: Two Palestinians were killed Monday evening in an Air Force bombing in Gaza City, Palestinian sources reported.
The two Palestinians were identified as Rami Hanuna and Hassan Aspour, both members of the Fatah's al-Aqsa Brigades. IDF officials confirmed the Air Force operated in Gaza. The army said the two were apparently on the way to firing Qassam rockets at Israel
IDF shelling in Gaza (Video: IDF Spokesperson's Office)
The latest attack brings the number of killed al-Aqsa Brigades members to five. Palestinian sources said Monday's strike involved an IDF gunship that fired several missiles at a vehicle traveling in the city.
Following the rocket barrage directed at Israeli communities on Friday, the IDF significantly boosted its operations in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, forces fired numerous artillery shells at rocket launching sites in the northern Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the army distributed leaflets to warn Palestinians against traveling in areas near the Gaza security fence, in effect resuming operation "Blue Skies" against rocket launchers.
'Anyone spotted there will be treated as a suspect'
On Monday, troops spotted several Palestinians traveling in forbidden areas.
"Movement in those sites is dangerous because we're operating there in an intense manner," an IDF official said. "Our objective is to prevent the movement of Palestinians in these areas. Anyone spotted there will be treated as a suspect planning to carry out a terror attack and may be hurt."
The army said the boosted activity against Qassam launchers will continue in the future too. Military officials say rocket launching cells have been facing growing obstacles in recent days, leading to a decrease in attacks and forcing the Palestinians to fire from deeper within the Strip.
On Sunday, the Air Force assassinated two senior Islamic Jihad members east of Gaza, including Adnan Bustan, considered the organization's "rocket engineer."
Notably, recent Qassam rocket attacks on Israeli targets were mostly carried out by al-Aqsa Brigades and Islamic Jihad members. Following Sunday's targeted killing, Islamic Jihad threatened to respond in kind, noting "there is no limit to our response."
Two nights ago, the Air Force killed three al-Aqsa Brigades members and wounded another five in a Gaza strike.
Hanan Greenberg
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