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IDF hits several Gaza targets in response to rocket fire

Palestinian Islamic Jihad reportedly fired the rockets, but Israel holds Hamas, the de facto governing body in Gaza, responsible for any rocket fire launched from the coastal territory.

F-35, IAF
An Israeli Air Force F-35 jet participates in the international Blue Flag drill held from Nov. 3 to Nov. 14, 2019, at Uvda Air Force Base north of Eilat. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

The Israel Defense Forces struck a number of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip late on Wednesday in response to rockets fired earlier in the day.

“In response to the 4 rockets fired from Gaza at Israel earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a weapons manufacturing site & a military compound,” the IDF said on Twitter.

Earlier on Wednesday, four rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel. Two were intercepted by the Iron Dome air-defense system, while the other two hit open fields in the Sha’ar HaNegev region near Gaza.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group reportedly fired the rockets. Nevertheless, Israel holds Hamas, the de facto governing body in Gaza, responsible for any rocket fire launched from the coastal territory.

Israel has warned Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad against any attempted retaliation for the U.S. killing of Gen. Qassam Soleimani on Jan. 3. Both terror groups maintain close ties with Iran, with Hamas expressing its “sincere condolences” to Iran after his death, and its leader, Ismail Haniyeh speaking at his funeral in Tehran.

The United States is “shutting down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping,” the U.S. treasury secretary said.
“The American people are crying out for an end to U.S. tax dollars subsidizing Israel’s military,” Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told colleagues.
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesman told JNS that the administration “acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority” in Khalil’s case, “as it does with any alien who advocates for violence, glorifies and supports terrorists, harasses Jews and damages property.”
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all ship traffic except for Iran,” the U.S. president wrote.
The amendment “would restrict our country’s ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in the region who are sworn enemies of both the United States and Israel,” the House minority leader said.
“We are prepared for any scenario,” the prime minister assured.