Israeli forces have launched airstrikes on Gaza, the first offensive since a new coalition government took power, coming just weeks after an 11-day conflict with the Palestinian enclave.
Blasts were heard at multiple locations in Gaza around 1:00am local time on Wednesday, Reuters and AFP reported, while a radio station operated by the Hamas militant group said strikes targeted a Palestinian training camp. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operations in a statement on Twitter, also sharing footage of one of the strikes.
“Fighter jets recently attacked Hamas military complexes that served as camps and meeting places for terrorist operatives in the Khan Yunis and Gaza brigades,” the military said, adding that it is “prepared for all scenarios, including the resumption of hostilities.”
“The attack was carried out in response to the inflating of incendiary balloons into Israeli territory.“
תיעוד מתקיפות צה״ל ברצועה: pic.twitter.com/kfSrUE1dBg
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 15, 2021
According to local media reports, the incendiary balloons ignited at least 20 fires around Israel.
Footage purporting to show the attack in progress has circulated on social media. It is unclear where the videos were captured, but unconfirmed reports noted a flurry of strikes around Khan Younis.
