IAF strikes tunnels in southern Gaza
Qassam rocket lands south of Ashkelon, second rocket next to kibbutz in Negev. None injured, no damage reported. Israeli air force strikes smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza in response to attacks
Israeli aircraft struck three smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said it has struck in response to the Qassam and mortar fire on Israel.
Palestinian gunmen fired two Qassam rockets into Israel on Tuesday evening; just hours after the IAF struck a series of smuggling tunnels in Rafah as a response to the ongoing rocket fire emanating from Gaza.
The rockets landed south of Ashkelon and near a kibbutz belonging to the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.
The attacks came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at his Jerusalem residence. Speaking at a conference on the rehabilitation of Gaza in Egypt on Monday, Clinton said: "There is no doubt that any nation including Israel cannot stand idly by while its territory and people are subjected to rocket attacks."
The IDF airstrike in the afternoon targeted six smuggling tunnels, and the army confirmed direct hits. Four Palestinians were reported wounded and several were trapped in the collapsed tunnels.
