Israel retaliates against Hamas for rocket attack on Israel

The Israeli Air Force bombed four terror targets in Gaza in response to the rocket attack on Israel Tuesday night. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) attacked four terror targets in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning in response to the rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli cities Tuesday night, which sent hundreds of thousands of citizens running for cover.

Accurate hits were recorded, an IDF statement said. “The IDF views this incident with much severity and holds the Hamas terror organization responsible.”

There were no reports of casualties in Gaza.

IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said Wednesday’s airstrikes “are a direct response to Hamas and the aggression against Israeli civilians originating from the Gaza Strip.”

“The reality that Hamas territory is used as a staging ground to attack Israel is unacceptable and intolerable and will bear consequences,” he continued. “Israelis cannot be expected to live in perpetual fear of rocket attacks. The IDF will continue to operate in order to seek out those who wish to undermine Israeli sovereignty with acts of terrorism.”

Palestinian sources reported that Hamas, fearing retaliation, abandoned its military posts after attacking Israel.

Sirens went off Tuesday night after several incoming rockets fired from Gaza set off the system. Only one long-range Grad rocket exploded in Israel, near Gan Yavne, causing no injuries or damage. A 15-year-old girl was taken to a hospital for shock.  It is presumed that four other rockets fell within the Strip.

Some municipalities have reopened the public bomb shelters, but no special directives or restrictions were issued by Israeli authorities.

This is not the first time that terrorists have fired rockets from Gaza at Israel since last summer’s Operation Protective Edge, but it is the first time that terrorists fired a Grad rocket with larger destruction capability, which is considered a stepping up of hostilities.

Intelligence sources believe that the rocket was fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) as part of an internal factional power struggle in the Strip.

“If there is no peace in Israel, Gaza will pay a heavy price,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon stated, adding that he holds Hamas responsible for all terror emanating from the Strip and expects them, as the sovereign power in Gaza, to control the other terror organizations.

Hamas has been working extensively to rebuild it terror infrastructure, which was uprooted by the IDF last summer, and has been replenishing its depleted rocket stockpile. The terror organization regularly test-fires rockets and conducts large-scale military drills, preparing for another round of hostilities against Israel.