Residents of the western Negev had their night's sleep disrupted four times overnight Thursday by sirens. According to the IDF, the sirens were triggered by "non-rocket" fire from the Gaza Strip.
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The overnight incidents came after heavy IDF strikes targeting Hamas rocket launching sites and other military infrastructure. During the strikes, the IDF employed its early warning protocol. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes, which could be heard from Gaza City.
Surveillance camera footage obtained by The Associated Press showed what appeared to be heavy machine-gun fire into the air from Gaza, a possible attempt by Palestinian militants to shoot down aircraft. Other footage showed projectiles being fired from Gaza, but it was unclear what kind or where they landed.
Fearing another escalation, some members of Egypt's intelligence apparatus who were in Gaza have left.
Earlier Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi held a situation assessment in which he issued instructions for the military to increase its alert level and prepare for various scenarios, including a possible resumption of hostilities.
The IDF issued a statement saying: "We will continue to destroy the capabilities and the military infrastructure of the Hamas terrorist organization, which is responsible for what happens in Gaza."
All this took place after Gaza-based terrorists spent a third day testing the shaky truce reached after Operation Guardian of the Walls by sending explosives-laden balloons across the border.
Five fires were reported in the area as a result of this provocation. They were quickly contained by the Israel Fire and Rescue Service with the help of Israel Defense Forces officials and Jewish National Fund rangers.
The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet is to convene on Sunday in order to deliberate on the latest developments. This week the fires from incendiary balloons led to Israeli airstrikes and on Wednesday, a senior security official told Israel Hayom that Israel has warned Hamas through the Egyptian brokers that if the balloon terrorism continues Israel "would not be able to move forward in the ceasefire talks and will respond even more forcefully."
The source further said, "things will not stay the same." Hamas has also sent a message to Israel, according to Lebanese media reported on Wednesday, warning that it would continue with provocations unless Israel eases various restrictions and allows more foreign funding to enter their coffers.
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