Israeli security sources reported on Friday evening that a military helicopter was hit by Palestinian gunfire when resistance fighters opened fire at it as it flew over Gaza. The sources added that the aircraft managed to fly back to Israel with no casualties.The Al Qassam brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, issued a press release claiming responsibility for the attack and stating that its fighters open fire at the chopper and managed to score direct hits.
Abu Obaida, media spokesperson of the Al Qassam brigades, said that the chopper was flying over north Gaza when the fighters opened fire at it.
He added that the fighters will continue to target any Israeli war jets that fly over the Gaza Strip “with the continuously improving ammunitions and the more accurate weapons the fighters obtain”.
Although the Israeli army refused to officially comment on the incident, security sources in Israel admitted that the aircraft was hit by Palestinian gunfire and added that the helicopter suffered light damage and managed to land in Israel.
The sources added that the crew onboard the aircraft was unharmed.
Also on Friday, resistance fighters fired several homemade shells from the Gaza Strip into the Israeli Negev town of Sderot as the Israeli deputy defense minister was visiting the town. Army sources reported that the shells landed in open areas causing no damage or injuries.
