Israel strikes Gaza Strip after rocket attack

Cross-exchanges continue between Israel and Gaza as tensions continue to rise following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

29 December, 2017

Under international law East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory [AFP: File photo]

Israeli tanks and aircraft hit the Gaza Strip on Friday after rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave targeted a southern community, the army and Palestinian sources said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the exchange of fire, the first in more than 10 days.

Three rockets were fired at southern Israel, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defence system, the army said.

Police said the third rocket hit a structure in a community near Gaza, causing damage but no casualties.

"In response to the rockets fired towards Israel, IDF (Israel Defence Forces) tanks and IAF (Israel Air Force) aircraft targeted two posts belonging to the terrorist organisation Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip," the army said in a statement.

Israel typically responds to each Gaza attack and holds Hamas responsible, even though other armed groups in the territory fire rockets.

The area has been largely calm since the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, but the week since Trump's Jerusalem embassy move statement has seen violent protests by Palestinians and the most intensive exchange of cross-border fire since the 2014 conflict.

Palestinians have clashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank and along the Gaza border since Trump's announcement to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv on December 6 and eleven Palestinians have been killed.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its "undivided" capital, a position nearly the entire world rejects saying its status should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians.

Under international law East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory.