Israeli Air Force jets conducted a “wide-scale attack” against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, the country said.
The airstrikes were carried out after a “severe shooting attack” against Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday afternoon, the IDF said Friday.
“The IDF is currently conducting” the airstrikes “in various locations, said the IDF, adding that, its aircraft and tanks attacked military targets belonging to Hamas.
IDF troops are on high alert and will continue to operate in order to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
The IDF views today's attack and the hostile activity orchestrated by Hamas throughout the last months with great severity. Hamas chose to escalate the security situation and will bear the consequences for its actions
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
Earlier today, IDF aircraft and tanks targeted military targets belonging to the Hamas terror organization
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
IAF jets recently conducted a wide-scale attack against Hamas military targets throughout the Gaza Strip following a severe shooting attack against IDF soldiers this afternoon. The IDF is currently conducting the attack in various locations
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
At around 1:45 p.m. ET, the IDF said it sounded sirens in the “Sha’ar HaNegev and Sdot Negev Regional Councils,” warning of a rocket attack.
Sirens sounded in the Sha'ar HaNegev and Sdot Negev Regional Councils. More details to follow pic.twitter.com/95af5tv0Ks
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
Haaretz reported that the massive attack was carried out in Gaza after an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Palestinians. A rocket alert was sounded throughout Gaza moments later. According to the Times of Israel, a Palestinian sniper shot at troops during a border riot, prompting the heavy response.
Four Palestinians died in the exchange. Hamas told Haaretz that they were members of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
During the airstrikes, there were clashes along the border fence. Palestinians launched mortar shells and threw explosive devices at IDF troops, the Times of Israel reported.
The United Nations Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, tweeted that both parties need to take a step back.
He wrote: “Everyone in #Gaza needs to step back from the brink. Not next week. Not tomorrow. Right NOW! Those who want to provoke #Palestinians and #Israelis into another war must not succeed.”
