Israel hits Gaza after mortar fire across border
AFP
AFP, GAZA CITY: Israeli warplanes launched new strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday in response to mortar fire, as the worst cross-border violence since a 2014 war entered a third day. The Palestinian fire targeted Israeli forces searching along the border, and short distances inside Gaza, for infiltration tunnels leading into southern Israelamong the most feared weapons of Hamas fighters during the 2014 conflict. Israeli aircraft attacked sites at Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and near Khan Yunis in the south of the territory, witnesses said. There were no reports of any casualties. The Israeli army confirmed only one strike, saying it was a reaction to cross-border mortar fire. In response to the ongoing attacks against Israeli forces, Israel Air Force aircraft targeted a Hamas terror infrastructure, an army statement said. It was the fourth air raid on the blockaded Palestinian enclave since Wednesday, when direct clashes between Hamas and Israeli forces broke out for the first time since 2014. Since then, Hamas and other militant groups have fired at least 10 mortar rounds across the frontier, while Israeli tanks stationed on the border have fired repeatedly at what the army said were Hamas targets. On Thursday, Zeina Al-Amour, a 54-year-old Palestinian woman, became the first fatality of the flare-up after Israeli tank fire hit her home, medics said. The violence has raised concerns for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist rulers of Gaza, that has held since the 50-day war left 2,251 Palestinians and 73 Israelis dead.
On both sides of the border, residents said they were living in fear of a wider conflict.
In the night there is the sound of mortars, bombs, planes, said Jehan Berman, a resident of kibbutz Kerem Shalom which is only 40 metres (yards) from the border with Gaza.
Were tired. Were still recovering from the last war and the next one is already at our door, he told AFP, citing the arrival in the area of a new army brigade and families planning to seek refuge elsewhere.
Kerem Shalom is close to where the army has uncovered two Hamas tunnels, allegedly stretching into Israeli territory, in recent weeks, the most recent discovery coming on Thursday.
Destruction of the tunnels became one of Israels primary goals during the 2014 war, with more than 30 destroyed, according to the army.
Since the conflict, Hamas has continued to build what it calls resistance tunnels.
Citing Hamas activities, Israel maintains a tight blockade on Gaza which human rights groups say is collective punishment against its more than 1.8 million residents.
Ali al-Moghrabi, 40, a tailor from Gaza Citys Al-Hanan Zeitun neighbourhood which was bombed on Thursday, said he still hadnt recovered from the last conflict.
