Gaza front escalates as Hamas fires rockets, IDF responds June 18, 2018Smoke rises after a house was blown up during a military operation in Gaza Strip. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90).Flash90Gaza front escalates as Hamas fires rockets, IDF respondsFor the first time in two weeks, Palestinian terror groups fired rockets at communities in southern Israel, triggering a strong Israeli response. By: World Israel News StaffTerrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip launched at least three missiles at communities in southern Israel on Monday early morning, the IDF spokesman said.The missile attack was part of a broader conflict with a long chain of attacks and reactions.The most recent conflagration included an Israeli attack on terrorist targets in Gaza after incendiary kites and balloons were floated at Israel with the purpose of causing wildfires.A rocket launched by the Hamas never left the strip, rather it landed inside Gaza, the IDF said.Rocket alerts were activated in a number of locations throughout the south including the Hof Ashkelon region, the Ashkelon industrial zone, Yad Mordechai and Netiv Ha’asara.No injuries were reported.Two weeks passed since the last round of fire exchanges, ending a ceasefire. Footage of last night’s IAF strikes of military objectives in the northern Gaza Strip belonging to the Hamas terror organization pic.twitter.com/ZKbmDIb465— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) June 18, 2018Commenting on the firing of the rockets and missiles, the IDF spokesman said “These are terrorist acts that endanger Israeli residents living in southern Israel and damage extensive areas in Israeli territory.”Read Hamas rejects proposal that would give them 'safe passage' in exchange for hostages“We have fired warning shots against groups who were responsible for the arson and destruction in Israel, and have carried out attacks against infrastructure used by these groups. The IDF’s intelligence and operational capabilities will allow it to increase these strikes as necessary. We are determined to continue to act with increasing intensity against these acts of terror as long as required, using the variety of tools at its disposal.” GazaHamasIDFIsrael-Gaza borderKite terror