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IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza after back-to-back rocket attacks

Terror groups in Gaza launched two rockets into Israel within hours, marking the third consecutive night of rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

A long-exposure picture showing Israel's Iron Dome air-defense system intercepting rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, May 14, 2021. Photo by Avi Roccah/Flash90.
A long-exposure picture showing Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system intercepting rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, May 14, 2021. Photo by Avi Roccah/Flash90.

IDF fighter jets struck several Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday night in response to a rocket fired from Gaza into Israeli territory, the Israeli army reported.

The rocket was the second fired from Gaza on Sunday night, the third consecutive night of rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled territory, according to the IDF. All the rockets were downed mid-flight by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, said the IDF.

In response to the second rocket, which was launched as Israeli warplanes struck Hamas targets in retaliation for the first, Israeli aircraft struck a Hamas military post and a machine-gun post which had been used to fire toward Israel, according to the IDF.

“We will not tolerate terrorist activities from Gaza,” the military said in a statement.

“While Israel promotes stability, the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip continue to rule with violence and have no regard for human life on either side of the border,” IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Amnon Shefler said in a statement.

“The terrorist organizations aim to harm the citizens of Israel through rocket fire, machine-gun fire, violent riots near the security fence and sending incendiary balloons towards civilian areas,” said Shefler.

“The IDF will continue to respond to [attempted terror attacks] from the Gaza Strip, and views the Hamas terrorist organization as responsible for all terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip,” he added.

“The IDF will act to remove threats to the residents of the State of Israel,” said the military.
The terror group “continues to operate in a manner that endangers international forces and harms U.N. personnel operating in the area,” the IDF said.
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