ZCZC
BFF-22
PALESTINIANS-CONFLICT-ISRAEL
Israel carries out fresh Hamas strikes over incendiary balloons
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, March 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli jets
struck a Hamas military target in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for balloon-
borne explosive devices late Tuesday, the army said, the fourth such strike
in recent days.
A Palestinian security source confirmed the strikes, with no injuries
reported.
The army said in a statement late Tuesday that “fighter jets and aircraft
struck a number of terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the
northern Gaza Strip.”
“The strike was conducted in response to explosive balloons that were
launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.”
A Palestinian security source in Gaza said a number of Hamas sites,
including an observation post, were hit near Gaza City, causing damage but no
injuries.
Eyewitnesses also described an explosion at a Hamas site in southern Gaza,
though the Israeli army statement did not mention such targets.
The Israeli strike was the fourth since Saturday, each in response to
either balloons or explosive devices hurled at the border fence.
Islamists Hamas have controlled Gaza since 2007 and have fought three wars
with Israel since.
The so-called incendiary balloons involve flaming devices floated across
the border with the aim of starting fires in the Israeli communities and
farmlands on the other side.
Clusters of balloons have been flown during regular protests and clashes
along the frontier.
They largely stopped after an informal Egyptian-brokered truce agreement
between Hamas and Israel in November.
Under that deal Israel agreed to ease its crippling blockade of Gaza in
exchange for calm.
Hamas has accused Israel of breaching the terms of the agreement.
An Egyptian security delegation met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza
Tuesday.
At least 251 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March
2018, the majority shot during the weekly border protests and others hit by
tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza.
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1040 hrs