Israeli Air Force fired missiles, on Saturday afternoon, at two vehicles said to be carrying Hamas members east of Gaza city, four residents were killed, and nine others were injured.
Military apaches continued to hover over Gaza skies following the air strike, which targeted vehicles close to Mosab Bin Amir Mosque, east of Gaza city.ÂÂ
Palestinian radio stations in Gaza instructed the residents to remain indoors after military apaches remained hovering over Gaza skies.
Dr. Moawiya Hassanen, head of the Emergency Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, reported that the four residents, killed in the air strike, were identified as Mohammad Al Deery, Rawad Farhat, Osama Abu Assy and Mahmoud Al Dareemly.
Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, reported that any Israeli attack against the movement and its members will lead to a “painful retaliation†against Israel and “anyone who targets its membersâ€Â
Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz, instructed the army to carry out a series of attacks, which he described as “harsh and varied†operations in the Gaza Strip.
Mofaz also instructed the army to prepare for ground operations, and to deploy in areas close to the northern Gaza Strip borders.
Five artillery cannons and tanks were seen being set up near Nahal Oz military base, several armored vehicles and tank took up positions.
An Israeli military source reported that a command post was set up in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, sold soldiers surrounded the post with barbed wires, which reveals intensions to settle their for a longer period.
