JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli jets attacked a Hamas terror tunnel in northern Gaza and two boats allegedly seeking to break an Israeli naval blockade.
The airstrikes early Wednesday morning were in response to the torching the previous day of an Israeli military outpost near the border with Gaza by a group of Palestinians who cut through the border fence and infiltrated into Israel, the IDF said in a statement. The attacks also were in retaliation for ongoing attempts to harm Israel using drones and kites carrying explosive material.
The targeted boats were due to depart from the Gaza port to meet other vessels in an attempt to break the naval blockade on Gaza, Haaretz reported citing Palestinian reports.
The IDF “views these continued attacks with great severity, specifically Hamas’ daily attempts to damage Israeli security infrastructure and threats to the safety of Israeli civilians. The IDF is determined to fulfill its mission to protect Israeli civilians,” it said in the statement.
“The Hamas terror organization is accountable for all threats originating from the Gaza Strip, above and below ground, and will bear the consequences for its actions against Israeli civilians and Israeli sovereignty,” it reiterated.
