Israeli Defense Forces Bomb Several Areas in Gaza

A Gaza explosion from Israeli aerial bombardments of the people. Hamas, the legitimately elected government of the Palestinian Authority, has been villified in the corporate press., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

IAF hits several Gaza targets in response to rockets

By JPOST.COM STAFF AND YAAKOV LAPPIN
08/05/2011 04:52

Palestinians report buildings on fire in Khan Yunis; IDF Spokesperson confirms strikes on four tunnels in central Strip, strike in South.

The Israeli Air Force struck a number of targets in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning, following several strikes earlier Thursday and increased rocket fire emanating from the Strip in recent days.

The IDF Spokesperson confirmed that the IAF struck four terror tunnels and one terror activity base in the central Gaza Strip. Another target was struck in the southern strip.

Palestinian sources reported that several buildings were on fire in Khan Yunis following the strike but there were no reports of injuries at the time of this report.

The IDF Spokesperson noted that the attacks were precision strikes and came as a response to the rocket fire in recent days. It added that the IDF holds Hamas responsible for maintaining calm in Gaza.

On Thursday, the IAF launched an airstrike on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a rocket fired from Gaza that exploded in the Lachish area.

A direct hit was identified.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that a Palestinian was injured in that IAF airstrike in eastern of Gaza.

Medical sources quoted by WAFA said the Palestinian man was lightly-to-moderately injured.

Sources in Gaza also reportedly said the targeted area suffered some damage and that Israel planes were hovering over the Strip.

Earlier police believed that a rocket that was fired from Gaza into southern Israel landed in the Lachish area.

A police bomb squad was searching for the location of impact.

Air raid sirens in local regional councils were heard before the rocket landed and residents fled for cover.

No injuries or damages were reported.