IDF tanks attacked Hamas observation points in Gaza overnight Monday, an IDF spokesman confirmed, saying the shelling was a response to another wave of arson balloon attacks on southern Israeli communities from and riots along the security fence.
It was the sixth consecutive night the IDF has attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to incendiary and explosive balloons launched at Israeli communities.
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"The attack was conducted in retaliation to balloon launching from the [Palestinian] enclave toward Israeli territory and in response to riots along the border," the IDF spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the IDF, some 200 Gazans rioted in four separate flashpoints on the security fence. In one of the flashpoints, a grenade was thrown at IDF soldiers and an explosive device was detected on the fence. Troops employed riot dispersal measures. Palestinian officials in Gaza say at least one rioter was wounded and taken to hospital.
Throughout the day Sunday, firefighters fought 28 fires across southern Israel. Since the beginning of the recent escalation on August 6, fire inspectors have confirmed 149 fires caused by arson balloons.
Tensions along the Gaza border have escalated rapidly over the past month. The Jewish National Fund estimated that in the last 24 hours some 62 acres of farmland and nature reserves were burned.
On Saturday night, two rockets fired from Gaza were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Debris from one of the projectiles damaged a home in the southern Israeli city of Sderot.
IDF fighter jets and other aircraft responded by attacking multiple Hamas military facilities. On Sunday morning, the IDF restricted fishing zones off the Gaza coast.
"By launching rockets and explosive balloons, the heads of Hamas are undermining the interests of the residents of Gaza and are impairing their ability to live in dignity and security," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday.
"The IDF will respond forcefully to any violation of sovereignty until complete quiet is restored in the south. If Sderot isn't quiet, Gaza won't be either," he added.
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