The intense fighting between Israel and Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas over the weekend could become a full-fledged confrontation as both Hamas and Israel appear eager to say the final word.
Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis revealed on Saturday that Israel had attacked a cross-border tunnel that was operated by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group and noted that Israel was planning to expand its airstrikes.
The tunnel had been under constant Israeli observation but only targeted in this latest flare-up.
Israeli officials say the PIJ is to blame for the recent escalation, noting that its snipers hit IDF troops on Friday near the Gaza fence, resulting in two Israeli casualties.
According to the IDF, the airstrikes on the Gaza Strip are focused on manned buildings and several Palestinian terrorists have already been killed.
The PIJ "has been undermining stability in Gaza Strip in recent week, hoping it could carry out attacks without Hamas' scrutiny," Manelis said. "Hamas has been unable to assert its authority over PIJ and this has been abundantly clear over the weekend."
