IAF strikes 2 Hamas targets in Gaza
After an explosive device tied to a balloon caused damage to a house in south, Israeli Air Force retaliates by attacking Hamas targets in central and southern Gaza, striking at least one position of the organization's military wing.
The Israeli Air Forces launched an attack on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night after a balloon tied to an explosive device caused damage to a house in southern Israel earlier today.
The IAF hit two Hamas positions in central and southern Gaza, striking at least one position of the terror organization's military wing.
Earlier, an explosive device tied to a cluster of balloons landed in the Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel, causing damage to the windows of a house there. No casualties were reported in the incident.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the balloons were dispatched from southern Gaza and that it appears the device exploded in midair.
Following the incident, head of the Eshkol Regional Council Gadi Yarkoni said: "The airborne incendiary and explosive devices tied to balloons are terrorism to all intents and purposes, and today this terrorism is stepping up.
“Eshkol residents have shown incredible patience, allowing the decision-makers and the Israel Defense Forces to exhaust all options to eradicate the terror striking our communities. But we won’t accept this reality and expect an immediate solution ensuring long-term calm."
Former head of the Eshkol Regional Council, Yesh Atid MK Haim Jelin, said that consistently ignoring the devices sent from Gaza had led to intensified attacks, culminating in explosive devices being tied to balloons.
Lashing out at the prime minister he said, "Netanyahu, you failed. Israeli communities near the Gaza border are not safe. The only thing you have left is empty slogans. Explosive balloons should be viewed with the same severity as Qassam missiles."
