Israel strikes Hamas position following rocket launch from Gaza

JTA

(JTA) — Following the launch of a rocket into Israel from Gaza, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes targeting several sites in the enclave’s northern tip.

The exchange Friday ended with no injuries on either side, Army Radio and the Ma’an Palestinian news agency reported.

The strikes hit targets near the al-Nada Towers in northeastern Beit Lahiya, according to Ma’an.

According to Army Radio, at least one of the targets was a Hamas observation post. “Israel considers Hamas as the sole entity responsible for what goes on in the Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson’s unit said in a statement.

Israeli forces have conducted several airstrikes against military targets in the Gaza Strip since December, resulting in the death of four Palestinian fighters in retaliation for the launching of rockets into Israel.

In November, Israel blew up tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip, killing 12 Palestinian fighters with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements, according to Ma’an.

In December, terrorists from Gaza launched at least 12 rockets into Israel, according to that month’s report of terrorist activity by the Israel Security Agency.