IAF attacks Hamas position in Gaza
Palestinians report Israeli aircraft fired two missiles on Khan Younis headquarters of Islamist group's security services, causing damage. IDF says attack carried out in response to two mortar shells fired at southern Israel on Wednesday
An Israeli helicopter attacked a Hamas position in the southern Gaza Strip early Thursday, but no one was injured in the raid, witnesses and Palestinian security services sources said.
The helicopter fired two missiles on the Khan Younis headquarters of the security services of Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
They caused further damage to the building that was already attacked during Israel's 22-day military offensive against the territory. The offensive, which ended January 18, caused 1,330 Palestinian deaths.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the strike, stressing that the army views Hamas as exclusively responsible for the ongoing firing from the Strip.
"The army attacked a Hamas position in response to mortars fired Wednesday against southern Israel," an Israeli military spokesman said.
Palestinian gunmen have fired about 40 rockets and mortar rounds since Israel ended the assault, which Israeli leaders said was aimed at stemming rocket attacks. The Israeli army has launched reprisal attacks on Hamas targets.
Three mortar shells were fired at Eshkol Regional Council communities on Wednesday. The first mortar was fired at around 3 pm, and was followed by two others shortly before 7 pm. Residents reported hearing explosions in the area.
On Tuesday, Palestinian launched a Qassam rocket towards the western Negev about half an hour before Israelis finished casting their ballots in the Knesset elections. The rocket landed between the Sha'ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev Regional Council. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
On Sunday morning, a rocket exploded in a parking lot in a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. There were no injuries, but several cars caught fire.
A few hours later, the Israel Air Force attacked Hamas buildings in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources reported that Islamic Jihad member Khaled Kaparana, 22, was critically injured in the strike and died of his wounds at the hospital several hours later.
