The Israeli military early Friday announced it had launched airstrikes on “terror sites in Gaza,” a retaliatory move after rockets blamed on the militant group Hamas were fired on Tel Aviv.
“We have just started striking terror sites in Gaza. Details to follow,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tweeted.
We have just started striking terror sites in Gaza. Details to follow.
The strikes were occurring in Khan Younis, roughly 15 miles south of Gaza City, according to The Associated Press. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
A Hamas naval base was targeted, the outlet reported, citing Palestinian media.
After their initial post, the military tweeted a “rocket alert,” explaining that sirens were triggered in the Eshkol Regional Council.
Israel Defense Forces@IDF
INITIAL REPORT: Sirens sounded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Details to follow.
The military later said they confirmed “the rockets fired from #Gaza at #TelAviv earlier tonight were launched by the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Earlier, Hamas and many smaller Palestinian groups strongly denied responsibility, according to The Associated Press.
Israel Defense Forces@IDF
Sirens sounding in southern Israel,” a follow-up tweet said.
The IDF also announced that the military’s aerials defense system managed to successfully intercept one of the two rockets launched from Gaza to Israel.
ROCKETS FIRED AT TEL AVIV, TRIGGERING AIR RAID SIRENS
IDF first confirmed that two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv Thursday night from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Israeli media initially reported that one of the rockets was intercepted by the country’s Iron Dome missile defense system. However, the IDF later said neither of the rockets was, adding that they landed in the sea or on open land.
People living in the area reported hearing an explosion in addition to the sirens. It was not clear what caused that explosion. No damage or casualties were reported.
There was no early warning about the attack and officials were working to figure out who fired the rockets, Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, the Israeli army’s chief spokesman, said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Fox News Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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