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Israeli military says 27 mortar shells fired from Gaza Israeli jets hit militant bases in Gaza after shells fired from strip
(about 4 hours later)
A barrage of 27 mortar shells from Gaza has been launched into southern Israel, the country’s military has said, the largest number fired in a single incident since the 2014 war with Hamas. Israeli jets have bombed several bases run by militant groups in Gaza after a barrage of 27 mortar shells from the strip hit the country’s south, the largest number fired in a single incident since the 2014 war with Hamas.
There were no casualties, and the Israeli armed forces said its Iron Dome aerial defence system intercepted most of the projectiles. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. At least one base belonging to Hamas and four to Islamic Jihad, another armed faction, were struck by the Israeli response, security sources said. An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson said the army was operating in Gaza and “the explosions heard are related to this activity”.
Sirens sounded in communities living near the coastal enclave, and photos shared on social media showed what appeared to be an exploded shell casing at a playground. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had pledged to respond “with great force” after the Tuesday morning mortar strikes, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome aerial defence system.
He blamed the salvo on Hamas and Islamic Jihad, saying Israel would “exact a heavy price from anyone who tries to attack it”.
However, no group immediately claimed responsibility for the mortars, which set off sirens in communities living near the coastal enclave. A projectile damaged a kindergarten building before the children had arrived and Israeli media reported one person was lightly wounded.
There were no immediate reports of injuries in Gaza from the airstrikes.
Frontier areas have been tense during the past two months as demonstrators in Gaza have amassed along the border to protest against blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt, and the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, as well as demand rights for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.Frontier areas have been tense during the past two months as demonstrators in Gaza have amassed along the border to protest against blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt, and the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, as well as demand rights for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
Israel’s army has killed more than 110 people, most of them shot by snipers at the protests, but also in airstrikes and by tank fire. Thousands have been shot in the legs, medics say.Israel’s army has killed more than 110 people, most of them shot by snipers at the protests, but also in airstrikes and by tank fire. Thousands have been shot in the legs, medics say.
The Israeli government has rejected repeated calls for independent investigations into the bloodshed and blames Gaza’s ruler, Hamas, for using the rallies as cover to break through the perimeter fence.The Israeli government has rejected repeated calls for independent investigations into the bloodshed and blames Gaza’s ruler, Hamas, for using the rallies as cover to break through the perimeter fence.
The army has reported machine gun fire from Gaza hitting buildings around the strip.The army has reported machine gun fire from Gaza hitting buildings around the strip.
Hamas, which fought three wars with Israel, has not fired rockets since protests began on 30 March and no Israeli has been killed during the escalation in violence.Hamas, which fought three wars with Israel, has not fired rockets since protests began on 30 March and no Israeli has been killed during the escalation in violence.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
IsraelIsrael
GazaGaza
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
Palestinian territoriesPalestinian territories
Hamas
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