BICOM

Twenty seven missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel this morning in two attacks.

At 07:00 local time, 25 missiles were launched at Israeli communities near the Gaza border, several of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system. One missile exploded near a kindergarten. The school was empty at the time and nobody was injured by the incident. Two more missiles were fired at 08.30 local time. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired at military positions in eastern Gaza in response and believes that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired the missiles with approval from Hamas.

This morning’s attack is the latest in a series of attacks on the Gaza border. Last night the Israeli city of Sderot was hit by heavy machine gun fire emanating from positions in the northern Gaza Strip.

Also yesterday, the IDF apprehended two Palestinians who infiltrated into Israel with the intention of carrying out a terror attack, carrying knives and explosives. The IDF unit apprehending them came under fire from inside the Gaza strip, leading to the IDF targeting a Hamas military observation post in response. A further four Palestinians crossed the border on Saturday, throwing a firebomb before returning to Gaza.

During the weekend PIJ fighters planted an improves explosive device near Israel’s border fence. The IDF also confirmed that a drone carrying explosives was recently launched from the Gaza Strip with the intention of exploding in Israel.

As part of Israel’s response to the increased threat from Gaza, a new naval barrier off Zikim beach is being constructed which will “block any possibility of infiltration from Gaza into Israel by sea,” Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said. The Defence Minister is currently meeting with senior IDF officers to agree a response to this morning’s attack.

On Friday, the IDF confirmed that “5,000 Palestinians participated in violent riots” on the Gaza border, in which pipe bombs and grenades were thrown at Israeli forces.