Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip late Thursday (April 6) after it vowed to retaliate over a barrage of cross-border rockets fired from Lebanon. According to a statement, the Israeli army said it was currently striking in the Gaza Strip. This comes as the news agency AFP reported that three explosions were heard in the area at 11.15 pm (2115 GMT).
A Palestinian security source said the strikes had hit several Hamas training sites. Further strikes rang out half an hour later, and aircraft could be heard flying overhead, AFP reported.
These air strikes come Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Jerusalem’s enemies would pay the price following the barrage of rockets fired from Lebanon. Thirty-four rockets were fired at Israel on the Jewish holiday of Passover- the largest escalation since Israel and Hezbollah fought a war in 2006.
The Israeli army blamed Palestinian groups for the rocket attacks. In a statement, the army said it “identified 34 rockets that were fired from Lebanese territory into Israeli territory.”
The army added that 25 rockets were intercepted five rockets landed in Israeli territory. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack.
Speaking to reporters, Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Colonel Richard Hecht said, “We know for sure it’s Palestinian fire. It could be Hamas, it could be Islamic Jihad, we are still trying to finalise but it wasn’t Hezbollah.”
“We assume Hezbollah knew about it, and Lebanon also has some responsibility. We are also investigating whether Iran was involved,” he added.
Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati rejected any “escalation” from his country after the rocket attack. Mikati said that his country rejected the use of its territory to carry out operations that destabilise the situation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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