After rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army attacked targets of the ruling Hamas there. Fighter planes had shot at tunnel construction sites, among other things, the military announced this morning.
Any terrorist activity targeting Israeli territory is considered very serious. Israel holds the Islamist Hamas responsible for all incidents in the coastal area. According to the army, two rockets had previously been fired from there and fell in the sea near the city of Ashdod.
Security circles in the Gaza Strip said the two targets attacked by the Israeli army were in the south of the area, east of the cities of Chan Junis and Rafah. There was considerable damage to property. Nobody was injured.
Truce violations
In August of last year Hamas announced a ceasefire with Israel after mediation by Qatar. After that there were already several violations. In 2007, Israel tightened a blockade of the Gaza Strip, which is now supported by Egypt.
Both countries justify the measure with security considerations. About two million people live in the coastal area in very poor conditions. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the EU and the USA.
