JERUSALEM (JTA) — Retaliating for a rocket barrage on southern Israel that destroyed a Sderot factory, Israeli airstrikes hit what Israel’s military called “terror activity sites.”
At least 12 rockets fired from Gaza struck Israel over the weekend, including two that set the factory on fire. Several people were evacuated from the factory, including two who required hospital treatment for burns.
In response to the six rockets that struck Israel on Saturday night, the Israel Air Force bombed three of what the Israel Defense Forces identified as terror activity sites and three concealed rocket launchers in the southern Gaza Strip; a weapon manufacturing site in northern Gaza; and a terror activity site and weapons manufacturing site in central Gaza early Sunday morning.
The Air Force also struck other Gaza targets on Saturday morning and afternoon, according to the IDF.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday morning at the regular Cabinet meeting that the Palestinian Authority was responsible for preventing fire on Israeli territory from Gaza because of its unity government with Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the coastal strip. He also called again on P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas to end the unity agreement with Hamas.
On the retaliatory strikes, Netanyahu said Israel was “ready to expand this operation as per need.”
Since the beginning of June more than 60 rockets have been launched from Gaza at Israel, with 28 hitting southern Israel. The Iron Dome anti-missile system has intercepted at least seven rockets heading for populated Israeli areas.
