The Israel Air Force on Sunday afternoon targeted vehicle in Gaza used by terrorists to launch balloon bombs from Gaza towards Israel. Arab media reports a lookout position in the el-Bourij area of Gaza was also targeted in the airstrikes.

The planes opened fire in an attempt to deter the terrorists from launching the bombs and did not intend to kill the perpetrators. One of the terrorists was moderate to seriously injured, the others were only lightly injured.

During the course of the day, 26 fires were lit in various areas around the strip due to balloon and kite bombs that were launched from Gaza. Fires erupted on Sunday afternoon in fields along the Gaza border in the area of Dorot, Nachal Ohz, Kfar Aza, Miflasim, Nirim, Chulit, Sufah and Be’eri as a result of burning kits and balloon bombs. A fire also broke out in a field adjacent to the Netivot Central Bus Station.

Israeli authorities and politicians have repeatedly said that they would no longer tolerate such launches and would begin using force to prevent them. While they have not yet used lethal force, that option has been tabled and is being looked into.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)