IDF strikes Gaza targets following rockets launched into Israel’s South

The IDF has struck multiple targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday morning in response to rockets being fired into southern Israel on Saturday.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that fighter planes and helicopters struck Hamas targets, including a military compound with rocket production workshops, a training facility, a weapons storage site and a terror tunnel.

“The IDF will continue to respond strongly to terrorist acts from the Gaza Strip, and considers Hamas responsible for everything happening there,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

Rocket sirens across the Gaza border communities in the south of Israel at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.

IDF Spokesperson confirmed that one launch was identified from Gaza into Israel and that it was intercepted by Iron Dome.

No injuries were reported besides one person who was lightly hurt after falling while running to the bomb shelter.

Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi gave a statement regarding the incident, reacting by saying that “when there was no response to rocket fire directed at Sderot several weeks ago, when a terrorist who murdered heroic soldier Barel Shmueli roams free in the Gaza Strip, and when terrorists escape prison in Israel – the meaning is one: Hamas and the PIJ do not take over the events, they run them, and decide on the temperature in the area.”

“The State of Israel must not allow a situation in which terrorists who try to harm the children of Sderot and the border communities stand on their feet and are not afraid of their fate,” Davidi concluded.

“Bennett and Gantz – return the peace and feeling of security to the residents of Sderot and the Gaza border communities. “

The red alert was the second in two days after a rocket was fired into Israel on Friday night in response to the capture of two Gilboa Prison fugitives. An additional two were then caught later that same night.

Shortly before the red alert sirens were sounded, Abu Obadiah, spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigade, gave a speech in the Gaza Strip, praising the six fugitives and saying that “Jenin and its revolutionaries and heroes are not alone.” 

“We will not allow the enemy to overpower our people in the camp, and we will carry out our national duty towards them,” he continued.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas released a statement stating that the escape of the prisoners “revived the Palestinian people’s hopes that it is only a matter of time until the West Bank ‘blows up’ in Israel’s face.” 

Clashes also broke out between IDF soldiers and Palestinian youth near Huwara Checkpoint, south of Nablus, Palestinian news outlet Shehab Agency reported on Saturday evening. Clashes were also reported near the town of Beita, south of Nablus.

Additional riots erupted across the West Bank, and Palestinian media reported that youth were setting rubber tires alight at the entrance to the West Bank town of Anabta, among other activities, all in support of the escaped prisoners, two of whom have yet to be re-captured.

According to Shehab News Agency, local sources claimed that the protestors were gathering in order to “express their anger at what the occupation is doing against the prisoners.”

Demonstrations were also held in the city of Nazareth, where two of the prisoners were caught on Friday evening.

On Saturday night, a pipe bomb was allegedly thrown at a bus at the Jalama checkpoint northeast of the city of Jenin in the West Bank, according to Palestinian reports. PIJ has reportedly taken responsibility for it, though it is unclear if anyone was injured.