IDF fighter jets struck a target in the southern Gaza Strip in response to the launches of incendiary balloons that caused at least three blazes in southern Israel.

The IDF said it struck a Hamas base near civilian areas that included a school. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The airstrike came several hours after the incendiary balloons were launched into Israel by Hamas terrorists. Photos and video posted on social media showed them sending the balloons into Israel. On one of them was written the message: “Time is running out.”

איום בלוני התבערה | יחידות הבלונים בעזה מפרסמות תיעודים של הפרחת בלונים@coren_ido pic.twitter.com/FLJNCeAUHE

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 25, 2021

Israeli media reported at least three fires set in southern Israel, breaking a three-week lull in the launches of the balloons.

אחרי יותר מ-3 שבועות: בלוני תבערה גרמו לכמה שריפות בעוטף עזה@Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/8A18VlIXDy

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 25, 2021

In an initial response, COGAT, the Israeli defense body that oversees Palestinian civilian affairs, announced Sunday that Israel was cutting the fishing zone for Gazan fishermen in half, from 12 nautical miles to six nautical miles.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem & AP)