Archive photo
IDF Spokesman's Office
The Israeli Air Force attacked a Hamas
position in south Gaza Tuesday evening in response to the firing of mortar rounds towards Israeli communities earlier in the day.
The IDF generally tries to avoid attacking militant group positions and prefers to focus on thwarting terror attacks emanating from the Strip, but the launching of mortars toward Kerem Shalom prompted the IDF to launch a helicopter attack on the Hamas post.
"The strike conveyed a clear message to Hamas that we will not tolerate attacks on Israeli communities," a military official said. "We consider Hamas responsible for the firings and this is why the post was attacked."
At least eight terrorists have been killed by Israeli forces in recent weeks.
A source in the Southern Command said there was a rise in attacks from Gaza during the week leading up to the Annapolis peace conference. "We will choose the most appropriate methods to foil terror attacks," he said.
Hand grenades, knives, magazines and radios were found on the bodies of some of the terrorists who were killed Tuesday.