After relative calm with Gaza, four days of rocket fire towards Israel - The Jerusalem Post

The Israeli Air Force struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday after rocket fire towards southern Israel and dozens of explosive balloons launched throughout the day from the coastal enclave controlled by the terror group.On Saturday night incoming rocket sirens were activated in the communities of Nahal Oz and Alumim in the Sha’ar Hanegev regional council while Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz and other top members of his party were visiting the area.The rocket hit an open field and caused no damage or injuries.In retaliation, among the targets hit by the IAF included underground infrastructure for Hamas's military arm in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Strip.The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) also announced on Saturday that there would be an embargo on bringing cement into the Gaza Strip. In addition, the IDF is cutting 500 permits into Israel for Gaza merchants effective Sunday morning, until further notice.“The decision was made following security consultations and in light of repeated terrorist acts by the Gaza Strip against Israeli citizens in recent weeks, which violate Israeli sovereignty," COGAT said, adding that "Hamas is responsible for everything that is done inside and out of the Gaza Strip towards Israel, and it will bear the consequences.”Following the airstrikes Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that the group would not be deterred by Israeli “aggression” but that it would “reinforce our people’s insistence on continuing the legitimate struggle against them, and will not stop the Palestinians’ efforts to achieve liberty via expulsion of those who occupy the Palestinian people.”While there has been relative calm between Israel and the Gaza Strip, the tensions have been rising following the release of US President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” peace plan which has been rejected by the terror group.But since the release of the plan, there has been incessant rocket fire and explosive balloons launched towards Israel’s south.On Friday night  incoming rocket sirens were activated in the communities of Sufa and Nir Yizhak and a statement by the Eshkol Regional Council said that the rocket landed in an open area causing no damage or injuries. Two hours earlier sirens sounded in the town of Sderot. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said the projectile was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. According to unconfirmed reports, shrapnel from the interceptor landed on a home in Sderot. There were no injuries reported.The rocket fire came after several hours three mortar shells were fired from the coastal enclave leading to an IDF tank to fire a shell at a Hamas observation post in the southern Strip. One of the mortar shells was intercepted by the Iron Dome while the other two landed in open areas.On Thursday night a mother and her three-week old baby were injured when the incoming rocket siren was activated in Sderot.  The baby suffered moderate-serious head injuries while the 30 year-old mother suffered light wounds.

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https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-stops-entry-of-cement-into-Gaza-Strip-reduces-entry-permits-616174

2020-02-02 14:32:00Z
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