The Israel Defense Forces attacked two Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, in response to rocket fire toward Ashkelon, an IDF spokesperson said.
The rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system and sirens were sounded throughout the city and the Ashkelon Regional Council. No injuries were reported.
According to reports from inside Gaza, the IDF carried out three airstrikes, two against Hamas observation posts in Khan Younis and one in Jabaliya.
The statement said the IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip.
"The IDF will continue to defend the citizens of the State of Israel and we are determined to act against any terrorist activity coming out of the Gaza Strip."
On Sunday, IDF helicopters attacked two Hamas military positions in Gaza after a drone-shaped incendiary device launched from Gaza landed inside Sdot Negev in southern Israel earlier that day.
The incident was the third time incendiary balloons landed in Sdot Negev in the past two weeks.
Sdot Negev Regional Council head Tamir Idan accused Hamas of working to deteriorate to the escalation.
"We don't believe in a settlement. Hamas is using the period [of calm] to arm itself, and that is happening while we are pouring Qatari money into the [Gaza] strip. Hamas is determining the rules of the game."
