Israel’s citizens in the south experienced the most violent night since Operation Protective Edge four years ago as Hamas fired 45 rockets at civilian targets. The IAF attacked in response. 

By: United with Israel Staff

Israeli communities surrounding the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night came under a massive barrage of rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists, eliciting a prompt response by Israel’s Air Force (IAF,) which bombed Hamas targets in Gaza.

Gaza-based terrorists fired some 45 rockets at Israeli communities, setting off sirens throughout the night and sending thousands of civilians running for cover.

The IDF’s Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted seven rockets, and at least five landed inside the Gaza Strip. Three projectiles fell within Israeli communities, causing material damage to cars and buildings. No one was injured in the attacks.

In response, IAF fighter jets targeted 25 Hamas military targets throughout the Strip, including an underground training compound and a cement factory belonging to the terror group.

“The Hamas terror organization targeted Israeli civilians throughout the night with a severe rocket attack and is dragging the Gaza Strip and its civilians down a deteriorating path,” the IDF warned.

“Hamas is responsible for everything that transpires in the Gaza Strip and will bear the consequences for deliberately targeting Israeli civilians,” the IDF stated, adding that it “is prepared to defend Israeli civilians and will increase its activity as necessary.”

This was the most violent night the Israeli civilians surrounding Gaza have experienced since Operation Protective Edge four years ago.

On Wednesday morning, as high school students celebrated their last day of school, the IDF said it was safe to open the schools and kindergartens and to follow the regular routine.

This flare-up was the latest in a series of continuous attacks on Israel by Gaza-based terrorists. In response, Israel has stepped up its actions against the Palestinians terrorizing the south of the country.

Israeli farmers in proximity to Gaza have been subjected to hundreds of burning kites and explosive balloons. Dozens of blazes have destroyed several hundred acres of wood and farmland and ruined produce worth millions of shekels.

Palestinian terrorists have launched more than 600 incendiary kites into Israel since the start of the “March of Return” some 11 weeks ago.

Despite the IDF’s best efforts to stop the kites in flight, more than 200 have managed to set fire to Israeli fields and property. More than 430 fires have erupted, and thousands of acres of wood and farmland have been damaged by the flames.

Many of the kites are painted with swastikas, revealing the Palestinian rioters’ anti-Semitism.

The rate of attacks from Gaza is accelerating, and Israel’s retaliatory attacks are multiplying, paving the wave for a massive military conflagration.