The Israel Defense Forces hit several terror targets in the Gaza Strip early Friday in response to two rockets fired from the enclave into Israel a few hours earlier.
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The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a tweet that warplanes had hit an underground facility for the production of rockets, belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization. And althought the rockets might have been launched the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group, Israel considers Hamas responsible for rockets fired from Gaza.
Video: Israel Police
Shortly after the airstrike, more sirens blared in southern Israeli communities. The military said that three rockets were launched. One was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, another fell in an open field, and the last fell short of crossing over Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, tensions in the northern West Bank boiled over earlier on Thursday, as Israeli forces operating in Jenin came under fire and 10 Palestinians were killed in the ensuing gunfight. This was during operations to thwart a terrorist attack, part of ongoing Israeli campaign in the area against the local Palestinian Islamic Jihad wing
After reports of civilians being hit emerged, Israel said it was investigating the matter. Ramallah said it was suspending security coordination with Jerusalem after what it described was a "massacre." The Biden administration called to "end the cycle of violence that has claimed the lives of too many innocent people," State Department Spokesman Ned Price said.
In response to the events, the US said it recognized the "very real security challenges facing Israel and the Palestinian Authority" and condemned "terrorist groups planning and carrying out attacks against civilians," according to a statement Thursday from State Department Spokesman Ned Price.
"We mourn the loss of innocent lives as well as injuries to civilians, and are deeply concerned by the cycle of violence in the West Bank," it said. "We underscore the urgent need for all parties to de-escalate, prevent further loss of civilian life, and work together to improve the security situation in the West Bank. Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely."
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
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