The Israeli military struck back against Hamas terror installations early Friday morning following an unprovoked rocket attack against Tel Aviv; destroying over ‘100 targets’ throughout the Gaza Strip.
“Overnight, Israeli warplanes hit some 100 Hamas targets in Gaza. The army said targets included an office complex in Gaza City used to plan and command Hamas militant activities, an underground complex that served as Hamas’ main rocket-manufacturing site and a center used for Hamas drone development,” reports the Associated Press.
“Also Friday, a Hamas official said an agreement to restore calm has been reached. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because Hamas has yet to announce the deal, said Egypt led meditation efforts ‘that have apparently paid off,’” adds the report.
According to sources, the two rockets may have been launched as a result of a “misfire,” prompting Israeli warning sirens to blare across the Jewish State for the first time since 2014.
Read the full report at the Associated Press.
'IT WAS IRAN': Israel Says TEHRAN Behind Gaza Mortar Barrage
Israeli officials publicly blamed Iran for the recent mortar attack on southern Israel Wednesday, saying Tehran was the “culprit” behind the barrage that included 180 Iranian-manufactured shells.
According to the Jerusalem Post, IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis confirmed the mortar shells were produced inside the Islamic Republic and smuggled into the region by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
“Despite Israel’s intelligence superiority over terror groups, as well a blockade imposed both by the IDF and Egypt, Hamas and other terror groups in the Strip have restocked their supply of weapons in the four years since the last round of fighting between Israel and Hamas,” writes the Post.
“The mass-produced Iranian mortar shells used in Tuesday’s salvos were also used by Islamic Jihad in an attack in January and in a barrage 12 mortar shells fired toward an army outpost in November,” adds the author.
The revelation raises new questions over Iran’s influence in the region as the United States urges western allies and other nations to help clampdown on Tehran’s nuclear program.
BREAKING NOW: Rockets Fired Towards Tel Aviv, Missiles Intercepted by Israeli Defenses
At least two rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv, Israel from Gaza Thursday evening; prompting authorities to sound the nationwide warning sirens for the first time since 2014.
“The two Fajr-5 rockets were fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza, the second strongest group in the coastal enclave after Hamas. One was reported to have been intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system while another one is said to have fallen in open territory. There were reports of a number of Israelis who were treated for shock,” reports The Jerusalem Post.
https://twitter.com/IsraelMFA/status/1106282949115367425
BREAKING NEWS: (SOUND ON) Explosions heard all over center of Israel as 2 rockets were fired from Gaza at Gush Dan (Tel Aviv area). 1 rocket intercepted by Iron dome. No injuries reported. This is an act of war. Hamas is leading the area to war!! https://t.co/cMTZZlTh42 pic.twitter.com/PrmVVkDcxi
— AJC Israel (@AJCIsrael) March 14, 2019
Local media reports Hamas is rapidly evacuating military posts across the Gaza Strip in anticipation of incoming Israeli airstrikes.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.