Israel retaliates against Gaza following Tuesday nights rockets attacks

by WO Admin | Israel and the Middleeast

Israeli Defence Force has confirmed attack of Gaza by IDF aircraft in retaliation for Tuesday's rocket fire into Israel which was traced to Gaza.

(Credit: via Times of Israel).

Though Hamas did not claim responsibility for the latest rocket fire, Israel has repeatedly said it holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from the Gaza strip.

Confirming the retaliation today, Cpl Peter Lener of the IDF said:

"Following yesterday's rocket attack against #Israel, #IDF aircraft attacked 4 terrorist locations in southern #Gaza."

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has said “I would not advise anyone to test us,” he cautioned, directly threatening the Hamas government of Gaza.

After today's retaliation, the IDF said it targeted four “terror infrastructure” sites in the southern Gaza Strip in response to the rocket fire at southern Israel on Tuesday evening. The military said it confirmed direct hits, according to reports by the Times of Israel.

However, army bosses are said to be keen to confirm if this was a one of attack or a sign of what is to come, just one year after the last war that left several thousand Palestinians displaced or dead, and their homes destroyed.

Nevertheless, families of the Palestinian boys whose deaths led to an all out fighting have reportedly said they were in favour of maintaining the peace.

Senior Hamas figures are also reportedly in favour of maintaining the peace and according to the Time of Israel "[Gaza] Strip’s Hamas rulers have an interest in keeping things calm after Tuesday’s flareup, but only to a point".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who oversaw last year's fighting, is still in office and having been re-elected only in March, it is doubtful he will like to begin his new term fighting another war.

Still with the quick strikes against Hamas infrastructure, the IDF have issued a clear message Hamas with Defence Minister Ya'alon reportedly saying: “We see Hamas as responsible for what happens in the Gaza Strip. It would be better for Hamas to rein in all attempts to fire at Israel and provocations. Otherwise we will have no choice but to respond with even greater force.”