Israeli aircraft bombed a multi-story building in Gaza City on Aug. 9, local residents said, a few hours after Palestinian militants fired a long-range rocket at Israel’s largest southern city.
At least four people were hurt in the air strike, health officials said. An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. The explosion shook buildings in Gaza City as dust and grey smoke filled the air, a Reuters witness said.
At least three Palestinians died in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in a CNN report.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that more than 180 rockets and mortars were launched from Gaza toward Israel, sparking rocket alarms in the country. According to the Jerusalem Post, more than 200 rockets and mortars were launched since Aug. 8, leaving 28 Israelis injured.
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted more than 30 rockets, and others landed in open areas in southern Israel, said the IDF. “In response, the IDF targeted over 150 terror targets in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said on Twitter.
Since last night:
?Approx. 180 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel.
?The Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted over 30 launches. The majority of projectiles landed in open areas.
?In response, the IDF targeted over 150 terror targets in the Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/BQtxfaT8Gn— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) August 9, 2018
“No country would let the security of its citizens be harmed. It is legitimate for the country to conduct negotiations, but there must be red lines. It is likely that we’ll need to take more drastic and aggressive action,” Mayor of Beersheba Ruvik Danilovich said, according to the Jerusalem Post.
“We are prepared for any scenario and we will continue to do everything necessary to maintain and strengthen the sense of security of the local residents. I am sure the residents of the Gaza border communities are strong and we call on them to continue to listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command,” Head of the Southern Command Maj.-Gen.Herzi Halevi said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
