The IDF launched a large-scale attack on terrorist positions in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night in response to to the rocket barrages fired at southern Israel from the enclave.
IDF fighter jets struck 12 terror targets in Gaza, including a factory used to manufacture parts for terror tunnels and concrete, a maritime terror tunnel shaft along the coast, and several terror sites in military compounds, among them rocket manufacturing facilities and a central logistical military complex.
The factory used to manufacture parts for terror tunnels was intended to be used as a hotel, but was overtaken by the Hamas terror organization in 2012. The factory manufactures parts for terror tunnels under the guise of civilian infrastructure.
IDF aircraft also struck a vehicle being used by a terrorist cell as they were engaged in launching a rocket at southern Israel.
A short while ago, IDF aircraft fired towards a vehicle used by a Gazan rocket launching squad to launch a rocket at Israeli territory pic.twitter.com/E7mLpaNB0d
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson)
The retaliation came within minutes after Hamas terrorists launched a second barrage of rockets at southern Israel, and during ongoing rocket attacks, which continued off and on throughout the evening.
The leadership of the Eshkol Regional Council told its residents, “Shortly you’ll be hearing explosions resulting from IDF activity in the Gaza Strip,” rather than rockets exploding in their yards, according to the Hebrew-language 0404 military website.
Between the hours of 7:30 pm and 10:10 pm, there were some 36 rocket launches fired at Israel from Gaza, according to the IDF.
The Iron Dome aerial defense system successfully intercepted four of the rockets, each of which was headed to a densely populated area.
Most of the others landed in open areas.