Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza over ‘incendiary balloons’ – first since ceasefire
ISRAEL has launched an airstrike in the Gaza strip, a Hamas radio station has reported.
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The strike followed an attack on Tuesday in which “incendiary balloons” were launched from Gaza. The balloons caused around 20 fires in open fields in southern Israel.
Israel’s airstrikes on Wednesday are its first in Gaza since the ceasefire ended 11-days of cross-border fighting last month.
Hamas had previously threatened to take action in response to an Israeili nationalist march in East Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Israel's new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, had said in the past that the Israeli government should not tolerate incendiary balloons, and must retaliate as if Hamas had fired rockets into Israel.
In a statement, the Israeli army said it had attacked Hamas compounds.
The army said it was “ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from Gaza”.
It is not immediately clear if there are casualties as a result of the strikes.
The latest strikes mark the first major incident since a ceasefire agreement was agreed by both sides on May 21.
The conflict in May lasted only 11 days but claimed the lives of 256 Palestinians and twelve Israelis.
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The air raids are also the first attack on Gaza since Naftali Bennett took over the Israeli government last weekend.
A spokesperson for Hamas confirmed the Israeli attacks on Gaza city and said Palestinians would continue to pursue their “brave resistance and defend their rights and sacred sites”.
The incendiary balloons which are believed to have caused the flare-up came in response to a “provocative” march by Israeli far right nationalists.
The so-called “March of the Flags” marked the anniversary of Israel's 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem.
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Hundreds of Palestinians protested in Gaza against the march leading to at least 17 arrests outside the Old City’s Damascus Gate.
A further 33 were injured after Israeli police fired stun grenades into the surrounding areas.