Bezalel Smotrich
Jerusalem (AP) —In the first unrest since last month’s shaky ceasefire halted a destructive and deadly war with Hamas militants last month, Israeli aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes at militant sites in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its military struck targets in Gaza overnight citing incendiary balloons launched from Gaza earlier in the day. The balloons sparked multiple fires in southern Israel.
No casualties were reported from either of the incidents.
The IDF said it the airstrikes struck Hamas military complexes and meeting places for the Khan Younis and Gaza brigades.
The IDF explained that the balloons were launched in protest of the provocative flag march in Jerusalem, where thousands of Israelis marched through the Old City. Far-right Jewish extremists taking part in the parade chanted “Death to Arabs” and “This is our home,” in a show of force.
Israeli police in riot gear removed Palestinian protesters from the route.
