JERUSALEM: Israeli aircraft pounded targets in the Gaza Strip early yesterday after rockets were fired at Israel from the territory, the military said, unsettling a tenuous cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The military said its aircraft struck two weapons storage facilities and a rocket launch site. No injuries were reported.
Rocket fire from Gaza has declined since Israel carried out an eight-day military campaign last November in response to frequent attacks. An Egyptian-brokered cease-fire has largely held, but sporadic fire still persists.
No militant group claimed responsibility for the rocket launch, but speaking on Army Radio, Israel’s chief military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai blamed the Islamic Jihad group. Islamic Jihad has occasionally fired rockets from Gaza in the past, challenging Hamas’ truce with Israel.
Israel said it holds Hamas, which rules the coastal territory, ultimately accountable for the renewed fire.
“Last night’s rocket attack is an intolerable act of aggression against Israel and its civilians. Hamas is held accountable for all acts of terrorism deriving from the Gaza Strip,” said another military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a total of six rockets were fired at Israel overnight, causing no damage or injuries.
The military said two rockets were intercepted by the “Iron Dome” missile defense system. The other four landed in open areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the rocket fire, saying “my policy is to harm whoever tries to harm us ... That is how we will work and will continue to act against threats that are close and threats that are far.”
In Gaza, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said he would not be intimidated by Israel’s strikes. “Any Israeli aggression does not scare the Palestinian people,” he said.
Associated Press writer Ibrahim Barzak contributed reporting from Gaza City, Gaza Strip.
