Israel Strikes Gaza in Retaliation for Rocket Fire

Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip early Sunday in response to Palestinian rocket towards the city of Sderot, the IDF said.

The rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and one resident of Sderot was slightly injured by a fall, when he was running for cover.

An IDF spokesperson said the IDF strikes targeted a rocket production site, a military instillation, weapons storage facilities and a terror tunnel.

“Israel will not accept any action by terror organizations targeting Israeli civilians and will continue to strike in response to any aggression emanating from the Gaza Strip. The IDF hold Hamas responsible for any attack,” the IDF said in a statement released Sunday.

Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has risen over the past week, after six Palestinian militants escaped from a maximum security Israeli jail on Monday. Israeli forces have since captured four of the inmates.

Drawing Israeli airstrikes, Gaza terrorists also fired a rocket into Israel on Friday when two of the prisoners were apprehended and then again on Motzoei Shabbos, after two more escaped inmates were caught.

In Gaza, a spokesman for the ruling Hamas terror group, said that they will demand the release of the recaptured prisoners in the next prisoner exchange with Israel.

Hamas is believed to be holding the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza war, Hy”d, as well as two civilians who crossed in to Gaza of their own accord.