Rocket sirens blared multiples times in communities surrounding the Gaza Strip overnight Tuesday, as Palestinians launched at least a dozen rockets at southern Israel after the military struck a Hamas vehicle in the center of the coastal enclave.
The alarms rang out in towns and small communities throughout the Eshkol, Sha’ar Hanegev, Sdot Negev and Hof Ashkelon regions. At least three rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. There were no reports of casualties or damage in Israel.
In the hours following the flareup, the army and the relevant regional councils held a “situational assessment” meeting and decided to allow schools to open as usual on Wednesday. No special instructions were given to residents of the area, according to local government officials.
Throughout the day on Tuesday, Palestinians launched incendiary balloons into southern Israel, sparking several fires in the area.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched a number of strikes in the Gaza Strip shortly after 1 a.m., targeting a car that the army said belonged to a senior Hamas operative involved in the airborne arson attacks. In addition, the army said it used aircraft and a tank to strike two Hamas outposts in the north of the Strip.
Palestinians said the vehicle that was hit belonged to one of the Hamas terror group’s field commanders and was parked in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp. There were no casualties reported.
“Bombings will be answered with bombings,” Hamas said after the exchanges.
Earlier Tuesday Palestinians said Israeli drones destroyed two cars and an observation post in Gaza that were being used by a group of Palestinians to launch incendiary balloons into southern Israel. The military confirmed that its aircraft conducted three strikes in response to repeated arson attacks from the coastal enclave.
No Palestinian injuries were reported.
The IDF conducted similar airstrikes on Sunday, firing at groups of Gazans launching incendiary kites and balloons into southern Israel. In one case, three people were injured as an IDF drone fired a missile at a cart being used by the group, according to local Palestinian media.
On Monday, a total of 11 fires were caused in southern Israel by airborne arson devices, according to local government officials.
The Israeli military has carried out multiple warning strikes in recent weeks at groups of Gazans preparing to launch incendiary devices toward Israel. The army has said repeatedly that it will act to prevent the launch of the airborne incendiary devices and explosives.
Since March 30, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have launched countless kites, balloons and inflated latex condoms bearing flammable materials, and occasionally explosives, into Israeli territory, sparking near-daily fires that have burned thousands of acres of farmland, parks and forests.
Israeli leaders have warned that the military is prepared to take more intense offensive action against the phenomenon.
Israeli leaders have been split on how to respond to those responsible for the airborne arson attacks, with some calling for the IDF to shoot the kite flyers and balloon launchers on sight, while others argue that it would be a step too far.
Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.
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