Israel strikes Gaza in response to rocket fire from Strip

Hamas claims it launched anti-aircraft Strela missile at Israeli planes; no injuries reported in strike; IDF attack is first in over three months after Iron Dome intercepts rocket launched - allegedly by Islamic Jihad - for first time since September
Yoav Zitun|
The Israeli military struck the Gaza Strip late on Monday in response to a rocket launched hours earlier from the Hamas-controlled enclave, which was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
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  • This was the first strike Israel conducted in Gaza in over three months and the first rocket fire aimed at the Israeli territory since September.
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    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    IDF strikes Gaza late on Monday
    (Photo: AFP)
    Israeli air strikes hit camps used by Hamas and another Gaza faction, Palestinian sources said. No one was reported to have been hurt.
    The military said one target was an arms manufacturing site. "Fighter planes attacked a number of targets and destroyed a Hamas weapons production facility," the military spokesperson said in a statement.
    "Israel regards Hamas as responsible for all events in and from the Strip," the statement said.
    3 View gallery
    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    IDF strikes Gaza late on Monday
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Hamas Spokesperson Hazim Qasim said that most targets were vacant positions. He also claimed anti-aircraft Strela missile was launched at the Israeli planes for the first time.
    "Well done to our resistance forces who engaged with the enemy aircraft," Qasim said shortly after the strike.
    Earlier on Monday, a rocket was launched from Khan Yunis in the central Gaza Strip towards Israel. There were no injuries or damage reported and no special instructions were given to the local communities.
    Palestinian sources said the Islamic Jihad was behind the launch.
    3 View gallery
    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    התקיפה ברצועה, בתגובה לירי הרקטה לעוטף עזה
    IDF strikes Gaza late on Monday
    (Photo: Reuters)
    The last time sirens were heard in the south was nearly six months ago, during the search and arrest of Islamic Jihad operatives who escaped the Gilboa Prison.
    The rocket fire from Gaza came after Palestinians, rioting outside the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, called on the Gaza terror factions to launch rockets at Israel, claiming it was endangering the Muslim holy site.

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