Fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force fired several missiles targeting what the army called “weapons storage facilities” in the Gaza Strip, and another location apparently used as a training center for a resistance group.The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, reported that Israeli war jets bombarded two of its centers west of Khan Younis and Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Several missiles were also fired into an agricultural land near Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza.
Furthermore, an Israeli war jet fired missiles into a center that belongs to the Palestinian National Security Forces, in Gaza; damage was reported, no injuries.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that Palestinian armed groups in Gaza fired six shells into nearby Israeli areas overnight, and that the Iron Dome system managed to intercept two missiles fired into Asqalan {Ashkelon).
Haaretz added that a shell was fired from Gaza into Rahat settlement, in the Negev, another shell was fired into the Lachish regional council, and a third shell was fired into an area near Beersheba (Be’er As-Sabe’). The three shells landed and exploded in open areas causing no damage or injuries.
Furthermore, three shells were fired into the Hof Ashkelon area; the Iron Dome system intercepted two more missiles while the third landed in an open area.
In addition, the Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip vacated its buildings fearing additional Israeli violations.
Haaretz said that Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Ya’alon, ordered the closure of the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) trade terminal, and the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
It is worth mentioning that armed resistance groups in Gaza did not claim responsibility for firing the shells into adjacent Israeli areas.
The latest escalation comes amidst tension between the Islamic Jihad and the Hamas movements following death of one of the leaders of the Al-Quds brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
The fighter was shot and billed by Palestinian Police fire on Sunday.
