JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Air Force bombed two targets in southern Gaza in response to a Kassam rocket strike near Ashkelon.
Sunday night’s attack by the Israeli military successfully destroyed their targets, according to reports. Gaza authorities told reporters that the strikes hit smuggling tunnels.
The attack was in retaliation for a Kassam rocket fired from Gaza Saturday night that struck Israel near Ashkelon.
It was the first rocket fired from Gaza at Israel in more than a month and it came just hours after the Palestinian Authority was authorized to begin indirect peace talks with Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee.
The rocket landed near a populated area. No injuries or damages were reported.
Ten rocket attacks occurred in April and five in March, according to Israel’s General Security Services.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement issued early Monday morning that "The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and will continue to operate against those who use terror. The IDF holds Hamas as solely responsible for maintaining peace and quiet in the Gaza Strip."
