BICOM

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have hit more than 100 “terror targets” in the Gaza Strip in response to a heavy missile attack from Gaza.

The IDF said it targeted three underground tunnels operated by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), as well as weapons warehouses, a naval vessel used by Hamas and a building used by Hamas’s internal security service. Palestinian media report that two PIJ fighters and two Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine fighters have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said the army has sent additional forces, missile defence systems and intelligence units to the Gaza border. “We continue to strike and retaliate against the military targets belonging to terrorist organisations in Gaza, and as for our intentions we will enhance these efforts as needed,” he said. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said “there was a real and sincere intention to [reach a ceasefire] arrangement, and Hamas’s decision to fire and to cause a breakdown will result in them paying the price”.

Yesterday evening the IDF bombed the Al-Aqsa TV Broadcasting Station, located in the centre of Gaza City. The IDF said that the broadcasting station is owned and operated by Hamas and “contributes to Hamas’s military actions, including by providing operational messaging to militants, directing and explicitly calling for terror activities against Israel, and providing guidance on how to carry out such terror activities”. The IDF fired warning missiles before striking the building.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said the targeting of the TV station was “a blatant aggression against journalism and all free voices that are dedicated to communicate reality. This crime reflects the Israeli occupation’s murderous mentality and exposes all its atrocious crimes, terror acts, and abhorrent violations against the Palestinian people,” he added.

PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat tweeted: “We hold Israel, the occupying power, fully responsible for the deterioration of the situation in #Gaza. We reiterate our demand for international protection. We call upon the Int. Community to do everything needed in order to prevent a new massacre in #Gaza #Palestine.” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is in contact with regional and international officials to “stop Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip”.